The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word RITUAL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
R
I
T
U
A
L
More clues leading to the result RITUAL
- Unusual trial involving universal custom
- Uninitiated, curtail bizarre ceremony
- Educated woman introducing university lecturer’s opening ceremony
- Trade union in retreat overturned custom
- Ceremonial trial rearranged about the middle of January
- Tradition from the east puts centre into retreat
- Religious ceremony contributing to spirituality
- Working group in retreat held up? It’s often repeated
- Routine from Rudi’s wingers leading to Leverkusen’s raucous comeback
- Trial disrupted around university ceremony
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Religious service" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case religious service = ritual.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 RITUAL mean?
RITUAL noun- Rite; a repeated set of actions
- Related to a rite or repeated set of actions.