The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word LITURGIES
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Religious rites" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case religious rites = liturgies.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 LITURGIES mean?
LITURGIES noun- A predetermined or prescribed set of rituals that are performed, usually by a religion.
- An official worship service of the Christian church.
- In Ancient Greece, a form of personal service to the state.