Nicolas Arseniev

This article by Nicolas Arseniev offers a synthetic study of the fundamental features of the liturgical, contemplative and sacramental life of the Orthodox Church. Adopting both a descriptive and theological approach, the author identifies the "Johannine" contemplation of the incarnate Word as the radiant center of Orthodox piety, articulated around two inseparable poles: the kenosis of the Lord and the victory of the Resurrection. The article successively examines ascetic spirituality — marked by inner struggle, the invocation of the name of Jesus and humility — and then the theology of the Eucharist, presented as a synthesis of ecclesial experience, uniting real presence, memorial of the sacrifice, collective communion and cosmic dimension. The principal contribution lies in highlighting the organic coherence between liturgy, mysticism and sacraments in the Orthodox tradition, illustrated by numerous patristic and hymnographic quotations.