Lexicon index Lexicon
Litany
A prayer of petitions led by the deacon, to which the congregation responds Kyrie Eleison or Grant it, O Lord.
A litany (synapte, 'joined'; litaneia, 'supplication') is a structured prayer in which the deacon announces each intention and the congregation responds 'Kyrie Eleison' (Lord, have mercy) or 'Grant it, O Lord.' The Great Litany opens the Divine Liturgy. The litanic structure is one of the oldest forms of Christian public prayer, directly paralleling synagogue prayer forms.