Liturgy (redirected from Liturgical hymn)

liturgy

1. the forms of public services officially prescribed by a Church

2. Chiefly Eastern Churches the Eucharistic celebration

3. a particular order or form of public service laid down by a Church

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Liturgy 

a Christian worship service during which the Eucharist is received. The Russian popular name for the liturgy is obednia (based on the time of day when it is conducted, before obed, “lunch”). The Catholic name for the liturgy is the Mass.

Initially, the form and content of the liturgy were determined by oral traditions, which were different in various localities. Two basic forms of liturgy evolved in the Eastern Roman Empire during the fourth to fifth centuries (attributed to Basil the Great and John Chrysostom). They were reworked and supplemented right up to the 14th century. In this form they have been preserved in the modern Orthodox Church. The liturgy includes readings from the Bible, singing, prayers, and a number of symbolic actions and processions, allegorically depicting the life and death of Christ. Since the late 17th century, composers have created complete cycles of choir renditions of the liturgy. Classic models of such liturgies were created by P. I. Tschaikovsky, A. T. Grechaninov, and S. V. Rachmaninoff.

REFERENCE

Schulz, H.-J. Die byzantinische Liturgie. Freiburg im Breisgau, 1964.

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Liturgy 

a state obligation in ancient Greek city-states that was borne by prosperous citizens and metics (aliens and freed slaves whose wealth was estimated at three talents or over). They were obliged to meet certain important state expenditures.

There were both regular and extraordinary liturgies. The regular varieties included the choregia (payment of the chorus performing at dramatic and musical competitions), the architheoria (financing of embassies dispatched for religious festivals), and the gymnasiarchia (selection and support of participants in gymnastic competitions). The trierarchia (for the equipping of naval triremes) is an example of an extraordinary liturgy. The liturgy was particularly widespread in Athens during the fifth and fourth centuries B.C. It was introduced to meet two needs: to reduce contradictions between the rich and poor and to strengthen the military and political might of the city-state.

In addition to the ancient Greek city-states, the liturgy was found in Hellenistic and Roman Egypt, the Roman Empire, and Byzantium.

REFERENCE

Oertel, F. Die Liturgie: Studien zur ptolemäischen und kaiserlichen Ver-waltung Ä gyptens. Leipzig, 1917.