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Latria




  • ---[Generally, in English, the word ''adoration'' is reserved for God alone and therefore it aptly translates ''latria''. The word ''worship'' is a contraction of 'worth-ship' -- the state ("-ship") of being worthy -- and can be used in a strong sense in relation to God (''latria''), but also in a weak sense in relation to man: for instance, "His Worship the Mayor", or "Your Worship" (when addressing a magistrate in Court), or the worship of the saints (''dulia'') as distinct to the adoration of God (''latria''). ''Adoration'' provides a clear and unequivocal, and therefore better, translation of ''latria'' and expression of the absolute sacrificial reverence due to God alone.

  • --- Cf. Catholic Encyclopedia, "''Adoration''" (newadvent.org): "This worship called forth by God, and given exclusively to Him as God, is designated by the Greek name latreia (latinized, latria), for which the best translation that our language affords is the word ''Adoration''. Adoration differs from other acts of worship, such as supplication, confession of sin, etc., inasmuch as it formally consists in self-abasement before the Infinite, and in devout recognition of His transcendent excellence."]


Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox Christians especially adore with ''latria'' during their religious service, the Mass or Divine Liturgy. Other religious groups, such as Protestants and Muslims , do not have a Eucharist ic sacrifice; Catholics consider that they literally participate in the sacrifice at the foot of Calvary , that what Christ offered once "participates in the divine eternity" ( CCC ยง 1085 ), and thus have a very active sense of the worship of ''latria''.

Protestants and others fault Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox Christians for revering Mary or the saints, declaring their distinction among ''latria'', ''hyperdulia'', and ''dulia'' to be hair-splitting, and furthermore reject Augustine, Jerome, Thomas de Aquina, and others as authorities. Protestantism considers the Catholic conception of the central religious service to be an error, arguing that the sacrifice of the Cross was unique (which Catholics also believe), and need not and should not be repeated, Heb 6:6, 9:25-28 . Catholics counter this with verses such as Malachi 1:10-11 and by stating that they do not 'repeat' the Sacrifice of the Cross but they re-present it (make it present again). Protestantism also contends that the sacrificial aspect of Mass was unknown to the Primitive Church and is opposed to the Bible both in its general sense and specific instructions. The former assertion is a question of historical fact which Catholics answer with the writings of the early Christians and the Church Fathers ; the latter is a matter of Scriptural interpretation, which Catholics contend is determined by the Church's Magisterium (bound by "Sacred Tradition"), and which Protestants contend is determined by the individual.


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