Definition

Noun: 1. The highest form of worship, adoration, or veneration, understood in Christian theology as that which is due to God alone. It distinguishes the supreme worship reserved for the Creator from other forms of reverence given to saints or sacred objects.

Usage

Latria is a specialized theological term. It is used in formal religious discourse, particularly within Roman Catholic and some other Christian traditions, to precisely define the nature of worship. - It is most commonly found in theological texts, doctrinal discussions, and comparative studies of religion. - The term is often used in contrast to dulia (veneration given to saints) and hyperdulia (special veneration given to the Virgin Mary).

Examples

• The central tenet of the faith is that latria is reserved exclusively for the Divine.
• Theological debates often distinguish between the latria owed to God and the dulia offered to the saints.
• Idolatry is condemned as the misdirection of latria toward a created being or object.

Advanced Usage

• The Latria/Dulia Distinction: This is the primary context for the term's use. It serves as a doctrinal tool to clarify that honoring saints does not equate to worshipping God.
  • The Catechism uses the concepts of latria and dulia to explain the difference between worship and veneration.

Variants and Related Words

• Latrial (adj): Pertaining to or characterized by latria. (Extremely rare in common usage).
• Dulia (n): In Christian theology, the veneration or honor given to saints and angels.
• Hyperdulia (n): In Roman Catholic theology, the special veneration accorded to the Virgin Mary, higher than dulia but distinct from latria.

Synonyms

• Adoration: Intense love and worship. (The most common synonym in general religious language).
• Worship: The feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity. (The broader, more general term).

Related Concepts (Not Phrasal Verbs or Idioms)

• Idolatry: The worship of idols; in a theological context, the giving of to something other than God.
• Monotheism: The doctrine or belief that there is only one God, to whom is directed.

Noun

1. the worship given to God alone