Liturgien

Liturgien (German for liturgies) are structured forms of public worship in many religious traditions, particularly in Christianity, where they denote prescribed rites, prayers, readings, and rituals conducted in communal worship. They serve to express and transmit doctrine, mark the calendar (seasonal and feast days), and support the faithful in worship and sacraments. A typical liturgy includes scriptural readings, a sermon, prayers, music, and sacraments such as the Eucharist or baptism, though exact elements vary by tradition.

In Christian usage, liturgies are organized around rites such as the Eucharist (Mass, Communion), the Divine Service, the Divine Office, and catechetical rites. They may be channeled through specific rites or orders (e.g., Roman Rite, Byzantine Rite, Anglican, Lutheran, Oriental Orthodox), and are often led by clergy with varying degrees of lay participation.

Historically, liturgies developed from early apostolic worship and were progressively standardized in antiquity and the medieval period. Reforms have altered liturgical texts, languages, and music; for example, the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s broadened participation and allowed vernacular languages in Catholic worship. In the Orthodox and some Eastern churches, liturgy retains ancient roots with elaborate rubrics and liturgical languages.

Beyond Christianity, many religions employ liturgical practices—Judaism's siddur-based services, Islam’s daily prayers, and Hindu and Buddhist rites—though these are often categorized as devotional or ritual practice rather than the Christian sense. The study of liturgies, their texts, performance, and historical development, falls within liturgiology or ecclesiastical studies.