"Diataxis" as a functional term refers to a text with detailed instructions for clergy on the correct and smooth celebration of the divine Liturgy.

The Diataxis, along with the prayers, constitute the two parts of today's Sacramental texts. However, this was not always the case. The vast majority of liturgical manuscripts contain only the prayers, while the Diataxis were written in other books: Euchologia, Typica, canonical books, etc.

After the tenth century, the Diataxis began to integrate with the prayers, but not everywhere. As a result, manuscripts show a wide variety of details.

One of the most important events in the history of the Diataxis is the compilation of the Diataxis by Patriarch Photius of Constantinople Kokkinos. The saint aimed to create a common type of divine worship and succeeded to such an extent that his Diataxis became a milestone in the history of liturgical texts, and all those before it began to be called "Prophilotheic".