Litany

Litany is a form of prayer consisting of a series of petitions or invocations, with a repeated response by the congregation. The term comes from the Late Latin litania, from Greek litaneia, meaning supplication or prayer. In Christian liturgy, a litany is usually led by a presiding official (priest, deacon, or cantor) with the people responding, often with a standard refrain such as "Kyrie eleison" or "Lord, have mercy." It can be spoken or chanted, with occasional pauses for silent prayer.

Common structure includes a sequence of invocations, followed by a concluding collect or blessing.

There are many named litanies, such as the Litany of the Saints, the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Great Litany in the Eastern Orthodox tradition.

Historical context: Litany forms date to early Christian worship and became prominent in medieval Western liturgy. They are found in Roman, Anglican, and Eastern rites, and continue as a component of daily offices, processions, or special ceremonies.

Beyond liturgical use, "litany" has come to describe any repetitive, incantatory recital or long list of items, especially in secular writing or speech. In literature and music, a litany may be a dramatic or poetic device that presents a series of invocations or complaints.