Worship, practice and belief

This chapter focuses on the principal liturgical acts of and occasions for worship where such diversity in practice and theological interpretation was most apparent; namely, in the rites of Christian initiation, the Eucharist, daily prayer, and the liturgical year. Because of important changes in liturgical practice after the Council of Nicaea (325 ce), this chapter is organized into two major sections: first, ‘Worship, Practice and Belief Before the Council of Nicaea’, where what evidence there is for these rites is surveyed; and, second, ‘Worship, Practice and Belief from the Council of Nicaea to the Death of Augustine of Hippo’, where the further evolution and interpretation of these practices are discussed.