Liturgy facts for kids
A liturgy is a special ceremony or set of actions that follows a tradition. It's like a script for an event. In religion, a liturgy can be a very formal ritual, such as the Catholic Mass. It can also be a daily activity, like the Muslim Salat prayers.
For groups like Anglicans, Orthodox Christians, or Lutherans, "the Liturgy" usually means a standard order of events. This order is followed during a religious service. It often includes a special meal called the Eucharist. Some groups, like the Quakers, have "open" or "waiting" worship. This is an example of a non-liturgical service. It has no minister or set order of events.
In the Christian church, some churches are called liturgical churches. They use a well-defined liturgy that dates back to the second century or even earlier. This means many of the words and music used follow basic patterns each time the service happens. Most Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches are liturgical. Other churches might be liturgical to a lesser extent.
Churches called non-liturgical usually follow a common worship sequence. This sequence is similar from one service to the next. These services often include reading from the Bible and singing hymns. They also have a sermon, which is a talk about religious topics. People might give offerings of money. At certain times, they share Holy Communion.
Images for kids
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A Buddhist liturgy.
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A wedding ceremony inside the Kiuruvesi Church in Kiuruvesi, Finland.
See also
In Spanish: Liturgia para niños
