Liturgy

Liturgy is from the Greek leitourgia, originally meaning a public work or service performed for the community (the wealthy in ancient Greek cities sometimes funded liturgies as a civic duty)[1]. Early Christian usage adopted the term for the public worship of the church[2]. The word retains its sense of communal, structured action; private prayer is not liturgy in the strict sense.

liturgy is not opposed to sincerity; it is one way communities shape prayer over time.

Christian liturgy is the structured public worship of the church. Catholic Mass, Eastern Orthodox Divine Liturgy, Anglican Eucharistic worship, Lutheran services, and the structured worship of many other Christian traditions all count as liturgy. The shape includes elements like greeting, scripture reading, prayer, hymns or chants, the sermon or homily, the Eucharist or Communion, and dismissal.

Liturgical traditions emphasize that worship is shaped by long use, follows specific patterns, and forms the community over time. The principle lex orandi, lex credendi (the rule of prayer is the rule of belief) names the way liturgy shapes and expresses theology. Major liturgical reform in the 20th century, especially the Catholic Second Vatican Council reforms, has produced substantial scholarship and significant change in worship practice.

Beyond the central Eucharistic services, the Daily Office or Liturgy of the Hours structures prayer through the day in monastic and many other liturgical traditions. Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and other hours preserve a pattern of disciplined community prayer at set times.

Non-Christian traditions have analogous structured worship though the term liturgy is most associated with Christian usage. Jewish daily, Sabbath, and festival services follow set patterns of prayer. Islamic congregational prayer (jumuah) has a defined structure. Hindu temple ritual, Buddhist ceremonies, and many other traditions have liturgical dimensions.

Liturgical studies is a developed field. Alexander Schmemann's Introduction to Liturgical Theology[3], the liturgical reform documents of Vatican II[4], and works by Gregory Dix[5], Robert Taft, and many others have built the field. Comparative liturgical studies place Christian worship alongside Jewish, Islamic, and other structured religious practice.

• Introduction to Liturgical Theologyby Alexander Schmemann
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• The Shape of the Liturgyby Gregory Dix
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