Rite

A rite is an established, ceremonious, usually religious act. Rites fall into three major categories:

rites of passage, generally changing an individual's social status, such as Christian marriage, or baptism
rites of worship, where a community comes together to worship, such as Jewish synagogue or Christian Mass
rites of personal devotion, where an individual worships, including prayer and pilgrimages such as the Muslim Haj.

Within Christianity it can have a much more specific meaning -- in this sense a rite is a particular liturgy. For example, in the Roman Catholic religion, the last rites are often performed on someone who is dying.

See also: ritual, ceremony, Rite of Spring

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