I.at Athens, a liturgy, i. e. a public duty, which the richer citizens discharged at their own expense.—The ordinary liturgies (ἐγκύκλιοι) were the γυμνασιαρχία, χορηγία, and ἑστίασις: the extraordinary, such as the τριηραρχία, were reserved for special occasions.
II.generally, any service or ministration, help, NTest.
III.the public service of the gods, Arist.:— the service or ministry of priests, NTest.: hence our word liturgy.