Old priest taking part in the litany (3)
I believe the answer is:
eli
'old priest' is the definition.
(Biblical character)
'part in the litany' is the wordplay.
'part in' indicates a hidden word.
'ELI' can be found hidden inside 'the litany'.
'taking' is the link.
(Other definitions for eli that I've seen before include "Samuel's teacher (OT)" , "High priest in the Book of Samuel" , "Biblical high priest" , "Highest priest at Shiloh" , "Man's name" .)