liturgischen

Liturgisch is a German adjective meaning related to liturgy, the organized rites of Christian public worship. The term derives from Greek leitourgia via Latin liturgia and historically referred to a public service performed for the community; in Christian usage it designates the set rites and ritual actions of worship.

As an attributive adjective, liturgisch describes elements of worship: das liturgische Jahr (the liturgical year), die liturgischen Farben (liturgical colors), die liturgischen Texte (liturgical texts). The inflected form liturgischen occurs in declined contexts such as im liturgischen Kalender (dative) or des liturgischen Kalenders (genitive) and die liturgischen Feiern (plural).

In practice, liturgy encompasses prayers, readings, sacraments, music, and ritual actions arranged according to calendar and rubrics. Different church traditions—Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and many Protestant communities—prescribe distinct liturgische Formen and languages, yet share the core idea of a prepared order of worship. In everyday language, Gottesdienst is often used for the worship service, while liturgisch refers to the ordered, ritual aspects.

Academically, the study of liturgy is called Liturgik, or the liturgical sciences, focusing on history, texts, rites, and music. The concept also appears in discussions of liturgical colors and seasons (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter) that guide worship practice.