The Church has been established in this world to celebrate the Eucharist, to save man by restoring his Eucharistic being. The Eucharist is impossible without the Church, that is, without a community that knows its unique character and vocation–to be love, truth, faith, and mission–all of these fulfilled in the Eucharist; even simpler to be the Body of Christ. The Eucharist reveals the Church as a community–love for Christ, love in Christ–as a mission to turn each and all to Christ.The Church has no other purpose, no ‘religious life’ separate from the world. Otherwise the Church would become an idol.
Fr. Alexander Schmemann, The Journals of Father Alexander Schmemann 1973-1983, Entry – December 17, 1973.
Jeff Gissing 