Catholic Encyclopedia · L
Latria
Historical Article from The Catholic Encyclopedia
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Catholic Encyclopedia
Historical Context
This article preserves the historical wording and context of the printed encyclopedia. Dates, statistics, terminology, disciplinary descriptions, and civic or ecclesiastical circumstances may reflect the period in which the article was published.
Article Text
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.)
Source Record
- Author
- Scannell, Thomas
- Publication
- The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 9. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1910.
- Nihil Obstat
- Nihil Obstat. October 1, 1910. Remy Lafort, Censor.
- Imprimatur
- Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York.