'akolouthia' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'ἀκολουθία', where 'ἀκολουθ-' meant 'to follow' and '-ία' is a suffix denoting a state or condition.

'ἀκολουθία' was adopted into the liturgical language of the Eastern Orthodox Church and remains largely unchanged in modern usage.

Initially, it meant 'a following or sequence,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a religious service or ritual sequence.'