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Wednesday, May 1st, 2024
the Fifth Week after Easter
the Fifth Week after Easter
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Bible Encyclopedias
Latria
The Catholic Encyclopedia
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Latria (latreia) in classical Greek originally meant "the state of a hired servant" (Aesch., "Prom.", 966), and so service generally. It is used especially for Divine service (Plato, "Apol.", 23 B). In Christian literature it came to have a technical sense for the supreme honour due to His servants, the angels and saints. This latter was styled "dulia". Etymologically, however, there is no reason why latria should be preferred to designate supreme honour; and indeed the two words were often used indiscriminately. The distinction is due to St. Augustine, who says: "Latria . . . ea dicitur servitus quae pertinet ad colendum Deum" (City of God X.1). (See ADORATION; WORSHIP.)
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Bibliography Information
Obstat, Nihil. Lafort, Remy, Censor. Entry for 'Latria'. The Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/l/latria.html. Robert Appleton Company. New York. 1914.
Obstat, Nihil. Lafort, Remy, Censor. Entry for 'Latria'. The Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/l/latria.html. Robert Appleton Company. New York. 1914.
