Newcomers Learning Religious Ritual: Legitimate Peripheral Participation in an Orthodox Worshipping Community

In this article, we explore the learning of newcomers in a religious community through a micro-sociological approach, making use of Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger's (1991) notion of "legitimate peripheral participation" to conceptualize initial stages of inclusion and involvement in so...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Kupari, Helena (Author) ; Utriainen, Terhi 1962- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: [publisher not identified] 2024
In: Approaching religion
Year: 2024, Volume: 14, Issue: 2, Pages: 10-29
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Finnische Orthodoxe Kirche / Catechesis / Newbie / Ritual / Situated learning / Community of Practice / History 2021-2022
IxTheo Classification:CB Christian life; spirituality
CH Christianity and Society
KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history
KBE Northern Europe; Scandinavia
KDF Orthodox Church
RC Liturgy
RF Christian education; catechetics
Further subjects:B Orthodox Christianity
B Ritual
B catechumen course
B Liturgy
B Embodiment
B community of practice
B Parish
B Socialization
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Summary:In this article, we explore the learning of newcomers in a religious community through a micro-sociological approach, making use of Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger's (1991) notion of "legitimate peripheral participation" to conceptualize initial stages of inclusion and involvement in social practice. Our case study concerns Orthodox Christianity and is based on material gathered through fieldwork in a course targeting potential new members organized by a Finnish Orthodox parish. In the analysis, we inquire into how beginners learn skilful participation in Orthodox liturgical life, and specifically embodied ritual conduct. This learning takes place primarily through participation in real-life divine services. The article highlights challenges faced by beginners in acquiring the embodied repertoire of Orthodox ritual, including adapting to the artistic use of ritual gestures, and negotiating the meanings produced through them. Furthermore, it also illustrates how nuanced dynamics between newcomers and old-timers influence the learning process.
ISSN:1799-3121
Contains:Enthalten in: Approaching religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.30664/ar.136236