Have you ever wondered why Catholic and Orthodox Christians venerate saints while claiming to worship only one God?
In this thread, I’ll explain the hierarchy of honours, and how the distinctions between dulia, hyperdulia, and latria help us understand Christian theology.
In this thread, I’ll explain the hierarchy of honours, and how the distinctions between dulia, hyperdulia, and latria help us understand Christian theology.
Dulia is the veneration or honour given to the saints, recognising them as servants of God and worthy of imitation on account of their heroic virtue.
It involves personal or public devotions, praying for their intercession (assistance), and honouring their relics or shrines.
It involves personal or public devotions, praying for their intercession (assistance), and honouring their relics or shrines.
Hyperdulia refers to the highest veneration or honour given to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
By venerating the Blessed Virgin Mary above the saints, Christians recognise her unique role in salvation history as the Mother of God (Theotokos) and the exemplar of Christian virtue.
By venerating the Blessed Virgin Mary above the saints, Christians recognise her unique role in salvation history as the Mother of God (Theotokos) and the exemplar of Christian virtue.
Latria is the highest form of veneration or honour, which is worship, that is reserved exclusively for Almighty God alone.
It involves public and private worship, liturgical sacrifices, and absolute devotion that acknowledges Almighty God’s supreme authority and divinity.
It involves public and private worship, liturgical sacrifices, and absolute devotion that acknowledges Almighty God’s supreme authority and divinity.
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