(Greek: latreia, service)
At least since Saint Augustine's time (The City of God, X, 1) the technical name for homage due to God on account of His infinite excellence and rights, and man's complete submission to Him. Its distinctive act is sacrifice. Absolute latria is due exclusively to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; to the Son in His Divinity and Humanity, in His local and sacramental Presence. Representations of God and things connected with God may receive relative latria.