Ectenia

The Litany of supplication (Greek ἐκτένεια ekténeia zeal, fervor ) or diaconal prayer is a litany -like intercession prayer in the Christian liturgy, in which a deacon from the lectern speaks of the prayers, then " call Let the Lord " with the words to the community turns, which then with a common prayer, such as " Kyrie eleison ," " Lord, have mercy " or "God, hear us ," replies and confirms and amplifies the prayer.

This form of prayer is practiced mainly in the Divine Liturgy and the Liturgy of the Hours of the Orthodox Churches, she has, however, now well established in Catholic and Protestant church services because it allows a greater involvement of the community and solidarity with the petitions put forward.

In many Protestant church is the Litany of supplication by liturgists, turning from the altar to the community, practiced.

The contrast to the Litany of supplication is the Prosphonese.

  • Byzantine rite
  • Christian Orient
  • Liturgical prayer
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