liturgical

Liturgical is an adjective relating to liturgy, the structured rites by which a religious community embodies its beliefs in public worship. The term derives from Latin liturgicus, from liturgia, itself from Greek leitourgia, meaning a public service or work done for the people. In practice, liturgical worship is characterized by set orders of service, prescribed prayers, scripture readings, sacraments or rites, songs, and often specific vestments and ceremonial actions. It is typically organized around a liturgical calendar that marks seasons such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and various periods of Ordinary Time, with associated colors and rituals.

Across Christian traditions, liturgical worship is central in Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and many Lutheran and other churches; it can vary in language, form, and emphasis. Liturgical worship is distinguished from non-liturgical or spontaneous worship by its prescribed structure, rubrics, and continuity with the historical tradition. The study of liturgy and its practice is known as liturgics or liturgiology, a field that covers theology, history, rubrics, vestments, chant, lectionaries, and the music of worship.

In modern practice, discussions of liturgical reform address vernacular usage, active participation, ecumenical cooperation, and the balance between tradition and contemporary pastoral needs. Central rites include the Eucharist or Communion, baptism, the Divine Liturgy in Orthodox usage, and other sacraments and rites that animate communal worship.