Latvia’s culture is rich with religious and spiritual traditions. Whether you’re planning to visit a sacred place, join a traditional celebration, or simply wanting to expand your vocabulary in Latvian, these words related to religion and spirituality are a great starting point. Let’s explore some of the key terms you may encounter.

Reliģija
Reliģija translates to “religion” in English and refers to an organized system of beliefs, practices, and rituals often centered around the worship of a higher power or deity.
Latvijā ir daudz dažādu reliģiju pārstāvju.

Garīgums
Garīgums means “spirituality” – a broad concept that encompasses finding one’s purpose, connection to others, and the pursuit of inner peace, often outside the confines of organized religion.
Viņš katru dienu velta laiku savam garīgumam.

Dievs
Dievs is the Latvian word for “God” and is used in both monotheistic and polytheistic contexts alike.
Cilvēki bieži lūdzas Dievam meklējot atbildes.

Lūgšana
Lūgšana translates to “prayer,” an act of communicating with God or gods, often asking for guidance, assistance, or expressing gratitude.
Viņa ik rītu sāk ar lūgšanu.

Svētvieta
Svētvieta means “sanctuary” or “sacred place” where religious or spiritual activities are performed, and people go to worship or find solace.
Mēs apmeklējām seno svētvietu, kas pilna ar vēsturi.

Dievkalpojums
Dievkalpojums refers to a “church service” or “worship service,” a gathering for the purpose of worship in Christianity.
Svētdienās dievkalpojums vienmēr ir labi apmeklēts.

Baznīca
Baznīca means “church,” a building where Christians gather to conduct their religious services, as well as a term that represents the Christian religious community as a whole.
Baznīca ir pilsētas arhitektūras centrs.

Sinagoga
Sinagoga is the Latvian word for “synagogue,” the house of worship for the Jewish faith.
Sinagoga tiek uzskatīta par ebreju kopienas sirdi.

Moskeja
Moskeja translates to “mosque,” the place of worship in Islam where Muslims come together for prayers, particularly on Fridays for the Jumu’ah prayer service.
Pēc darba viņš devās uz moskeju.

Svētki
Svētki can be translated as “holidays” and in the context of religion, often refers to holy days and celebrations associated with specific religious traditions.
Ziemassvētki ir vieni no gaidītākajiem svētkiem gada laikā.

Garīdznieks
Garīdznieks denotes a “clergyman” or member of the clergy, an individual who leads and performs religious services and offers spiritual guidance to believers.
Garīdznieks katru nedēļu sniedz sprediķi.

Pilgrīmceļš
Pilgrīmceļš means “pilgrimage,” a journey to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion.
Viņi savā dzīvē bija devušies pilgrīmceļā uz Svēto Zemi.

Mediācija
Mediācija, which is often used in the sense of “meditation” in Latvian, involves practices that encourage a heightened state of awareness and focused attention, often used for spiritual growth or stress reduction.
Mediācija man palīdz saglabāt prāta skaidrību visā dienas garumā.

Dzīvības koks
Dzīvības koks or the “Tree of Life” is a symbol found in many traditions, representing interconnectedness, fertility, and eternity.
Dzīvības koks ir iekļauts daudzos latviešu rotājumos.

These words related to religion and spirituality are not just linguistic elements; they’re a window into understanding Latvian culture, history, and beliefs. Learning them will not only enhance your vocabulary but also give you valuable insights into the spiritual life of Latvians. Whether you’re engaging with locals, visiting sacred sites, or exploring Latvian literature, these terms will help you connect on a more profound level with the country’s spiritual heritage.