The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word NOVENA
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
N
O
V
E
N
A
More clues leading to the result NOVENA
- Absence of archdeacon on a religious devotion
- Nut enters rising river — that's devotion for you
- Cooker installed in N America gets extended service period
- . Soon about to embrace vice, outwardly displaying devotion
- Nave tidied up following a number of days of prayer
- Thirty days needed by lady for religious devotion
- A few days of prayer — nearly two weeks not available?
- No archdeacon wants a form of worship lasting days
- Devotion shown by star adopting gutless Etonian
- Prayers of star embracing nurse
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "extended service period" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case extended service period = novena.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does NOVENA mean?
NOVENA noun- A recitation of prayers and devotions for nine consecutive days, especially one to a saint to ask for their intercession.