Latria is a theological term used to denote the highest degree of worship given only to God. The IPA transcription of latria (ləˈtriə) indicates that it is pronounced with a short "a" sound and a stress on the second syllable. The word is derived from the Greek term "latría" (λατρεία) which derives from "latreuo" (λατρεύω) meaning "I serve". The spelling of latria reflects the original Greek term and has remained relatively unchanged over time.
Latria is a term derived from the Greek language and holds religious significance. It refers to a form of worship or reverence that is exclusively given to God or a divine being. Latria is considered the highest level of worship, emphasizing the idea of absolute adoration, obedience, and devotion towards a transcendent being. In various religious traditions, such as Christianity, latria is seen as the adoration and veneration of God alone, as distinct from other forms of worship, such as dulia (the veneration of saints) or hyperdulia (the special veneration reserved for the Virgin Mary). This concept highlights the belief in the unique and unrivaled authority, power, and majesty of the divine being being worshiped.
Latria is often associated with acts of worship that are characterized by profound reverence, awe, and sacrificial piety towards the divine. It involves expressions of devotion such as prayer, praise, liturgical rituals, sacraments, and other practices that affirm the supreme and all-encompassing nature of the deity being worshiped. Latria emphasizes the idea of offering one's entire being—body, mind, and spirit—to the object of worship, recognizing the divine as the ultimate source of life, salvation, and guidance.
This concept of latria, which can be found in various religious traditions around the world, serves as a central pillar in understanding the nature of devotion, worship, and the relationship between humankind and divine beings.
The highest worship, or that paid to God; dulia, the inferior worship paid to saints-a distinction used by the R. Cath. Church.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "latria" comes from the Greek word "latreia" (λατρεία), which means "service" or "worship". In ancient Greek, "latreia" referred to the act of serving or worshiping the gods. This term was later adopted and used in Christian theology to refer to the highest form of worship given to God alone, as opposed to "dulia" which is the veneration given to saints and angels. Both "latreia" and "dulia" are used to describe different types or degrees of worship in Christian liturgy and tradition.