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Dulia

Dulia refers to the reverence or veneration accorded to saints and angels within Christian theology. It denotes a level of honor distinct from worship, which in Catholic and Orthodox teaching is reserved for God alone (latria). In Catholic theology, the veneration given to Mary is called hyperdulia, while the veneration given to other saints and to angels is dulia.

The term dulia comes from Latin and means reverence or veneration. Hyperdulia is a higher form of

Dulia is expressed through prayers asking saints for intercession, as well as through the veneration of sacred

The distinction between dulia and latria is central in Catholic teaching and is a point of reference

See also: latria, hyperdulia, intercession, icon veneration, saints.

dulia
reserved
for
the
Blessed
Virgin
Mary.
images,
relics,
and
feast
days.
Angels
may
be
honored
as
guardians
and
messengers.
All
such
practices
are
understood
as
honor
to
beings
who
intercede
with
or
reflect
God's
grace,
not
as
worship
of
them.
in
ecumenical
discussions
with
communities
that
reject
any
form
of
saintly
intercession.
In
Eastern
Orthodoxy
and
Catholicism,
veneration
of
saints
and
icons
is
common
and
deeply
integrated
into
liturgical
life,
though
the
language
and
emphasis
can
differ.
The
broader
idea
is
that
dulia
acknowledges
the
special
role
of
saints
and
angels
as
holy
ones
who
assist
believers,
while
directing
ultimate
worship
to
God
alone.