Exploring the Origins of Liturgy as Public Work

The chapter dives into the historical roots of the term 'liturgy' as public work rather than work of the people, tracing its origins to pre-Christian and pre-Greek translations. It highlights the conceptual evolution from public civic projects to religious communal worship in ancient Greece, and its transition to Christian worship terminology in Latin. The debate over the translation of a crucial line in the divine liturgy is discussed, shedding light on the nuanced relationship between humans serving the Lord and God's actions on their behalf during the liturgical service.