Litany vs. Liturgy — What's the Difference?

Litany, in Christian worship and some forms of Judaic worship, is a form of prayer used in services and processions, and consisting of a number of petitions. The word comes through Latin litania from Ancient Greek λιτανεία (litaneía), which in turn comes from λιτή (litḗ), meaning "supplication".

Liturgy is the customary public worship performed by a religious group. As a religious phenomenon, liturgy represents a communal response to and participation in the sacred through activities reflecting praise, thanksgiving, remembrance, supplication or repentance.

(Christianity) A liturgical prayer consisting of a series of petitions recited by a leader alternating with fixed responses by the congregation.

A prescribed form or set of forms for public religious worship.

A repetitive recital, series, or list

Often Liturgy(Christianity) The sacrament of the Eucharist.

A ritual liturgical prayer in which a series of prayers recited by a leader are alternated with responses from the congregation.

A predetermined or prescribed set of rituals that are performed, usually by a religion.

(figurative) A prolonged or tedious list.

An official worship service of the Christian church.

A solemn form of supplication in the public worship of various churches, in which the clergy and congregation join, the former leading and the latter responding in alternate sentences. It is usually of a penitential character.

(historical) In Ancient Greece, a form of personal service to the state.

Any long and tedious address or recital;

An established formula for public worship, or the entire ritual for public worship in a church which uses prescribed forms; a formulary for public prayer or devotion. In the Roman Catholic Church it includes all forms and services in any language, in any part of the world, for the celebration of Mass.

A prayer consisting of a series of invocations by the priest with responses from the congregation

A Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper by consecrating bread and wine

A rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship