liturgisina

Liturgisina is a term used in religious studies to denote the theoretical and methodological project of standardizing ritual elements across different communities to enable shared worship and ecumenical dialogue. It is not a single rite or a historical tradition but a conceptual framework for comparing, codifying, and adapting liturgical practices while preserving local variation.

Etymology and scope: The term is a neologism formed from liturgia, the Latin root for liturgy, with a suffix -sina that signals a systematic field of study. It appears in contemporary scholarship as a way to discuss the possibilities and limits of cross‑community liturgy.

Core features: Proponents describe liturgisina as involving a core corpus of prayers and rubrics, a modular structure for services, guidelines for musical settings, and a calendar framework that can be aligned across communities. It emphasizes documentation, critical comparison of sources, and controlled flexibility so local communities can retain distinctive identities.

Aims and use: The aim is to facilitate ecumenism, joint ceremonies, and scholarly analysis by providing a common reference point for ritual design while allowing local adaptation. It is typically considered as a descriptive tool rather than a prescriptive mandate.

Reception and critique: Critics argue that standardization risks homogenizing diverse liturgical traditions and may marginalize minority practices. Supporters counter that careful application can illuminate shared patterns and reduce ritual barriers in interfaith contexts.

See also: liturgy; ecumenism; ritual studies.