Difference between revisions of "Veneration"

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{{spirituality}}
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'''Veneration''' is a way to show great respect and love for the holy.  It is to treat something or someone with reverence, deep respect, and honor.  Veneration is distinct from [[worship]], for worship is a total giving over of the self to be united with God, while veneration is showing delight for what [[God]] has done.  There can be confusion because one may venerate what one worships as well as venerate others.  Veneration is part of worship to the Orthodox faithful, but they show love and respect to more than the God they worship.
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==Acts of veneration==
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===Kiss===
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The kiss is an action firmly rooted in Orthodoxy. When they enter into the church, it is customary that Orthodox Christians venerate or kiss the icons. This shows love and respect.
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The faithful may also kiss the Priest's right hand from time to time. This, too, is an act of veneration. The people are venerating the High Priesthood of Christ, of which the parish priest is simply a participant.
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===Honorific bow===
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Bowing can be a sign of  worship as when bowing to Christ at his icon, or his cross.  More often bowing is veneration as when bowing to each other, or to the saints at their icons. 
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==Veneration of icons==
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[[Icons]] are images. The reverence and veneration shown to icons, however, is not directed to mere paint, wood, or stones, but towards the [[saint]]s depicted.  Even when a [[miracle-working icon]] is highly venerated, it is the true source of the miracles (God, through the intercessions of that specific saint) that is respected.
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==Veneration of the cross==
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{{stub}}
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==Veneration of relics of the saints==
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In [[relics]], Christians venerate the living and life-creating power of the [[Holy Spirit]], which makes them not only incorrupt, but also healing. In [[Scripture]], it is known that from the touch of the bones of the Prophet [[Elisseus]] a dead man was resurrected ([[IV Kings]] 13:21). Also, a woman with an issue of blood, received healing from touching the hem of the Savior's garment ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 9:20-22). In another, the sick and the possessed were healed by laying on them the [[Apostle Paul]]'s handkerchiefs and aprons ([[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] 19:12). The same divine power also grants incorruption and miracle-working power to the bodies of the [[saints]] to strengthen the faith of Christians.
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==Veneration of the Gospel==
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The Orthodox faithful regard the [[Bible]] as a verbal icon of Christ. The [[Seventh Ecumenical Council]] saw that the Book of the Gospels and the Holy Icons should be venerated alike. In every Orthodox [[church]], the Gospel Book has a place of honor on the altar table; it is carried in procession at the [[Divine Liturgy]] and at [[Matins]] on Sundays and [[feast day]]s.  Such is the respect shown in the Orthodox Church for the Word of God.
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[[Category:Church Life]]
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[[Category:Spirituality]]
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[[ro:Cinstire]]

Revision as of 13:27, June 10, 2008

This article forms part of the series
Orthodox Spirituality
Holy Mysteries
Baptism - Chrismation
Confession - Eucharist
Marriage - Ordination
Holy Unction
Three Stages
Catharsis/Purification
Theoria/Illumination
Theosis/Divinization
Hesychasm
Nepsis - Metanoia
Hesychia - Phronema
Mysticism - Nous
Asceticism
Chastity - Obedience
Stability - Fasting
Poverty - Monasticism
Virtues
Humility - Generosity
Chastity - Meekness
Temperance - Contentment
Diligence
Prayer
Worship - Veneration
Prayer Rule - Jesus Prayer
Relics - Sign of the Cross
Church Fathers
Apostolic Fathers
Desert Fathers
Cappadocians
The Philokalia
The Ladder of Divine Ascent
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Veneration is a way to show great respect and love for the holy. It is to treat something or someone with reverence, deep respect, and honor. Veneration is distinct from worship, for worship is a total giving over of the self to be united with God, while veneration is showing delight for what God has done. There can be confusion because one may venerate what one worships as well as venerate others. Veneration is part of worship to the Orthodox faithful, but they show love and respect to more than the God they worship.

Acts of veneration

Kiss

The kiss is an action firmly rooted in Orthodoxy. When they enter into the church, it is customary that Orthodox Christians venerate or kiss the icons. This shows love and respect. The faithful may also kiss the Priest's right hand from time to time. This, too, is an act of veneration. The people are venerating the High Priesthood of Christ, of which the parish priest is simply a participant.

Honorific bow

Bowing can be a sign of worship as when bowing to Christ at his icon, or his cross. More often bowing is veneration as when bowing to each other, or to the saints at their icons.

Veneration of icons

Icons are images. The reverence and veneration shown to icons, however, is not directed to mere paint, wood, or stones, but towards the saints depicted. Even when a miracle-working icon is highly venerated, it is the true source of the miracles (God, through the intercessions of that specific saint) that is respected.

Veneration of the cross

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Veneration of relics of the saints

In relics, Christians venerate the living and life-creating power of the Holy Spirit, which makes them not only incorrupt, but also healing. In Scripture, it is known that from the touch of the bones of the Prophet Elisseus a dead man was resurrected (IV Kings 13:21). Also, a woman with an issue of blood, received healing from touching the hem of the Savior's garment (Matthew 9:20-22). In another, the sick and the possessed were healed by laying on them the Apostle Paul's handkerchiefs and aprons (Acts 19:12). The same divine power also grants incorruption and miracle-working power to the bodies of the saints to strengthen the faith of Christians.

Veneration of the Gospel

The Orthodox faithful regard the Bible as a verbal icon of Christ. The Seventh Ecumenical Council saw that the Book of the Gospels and the Holy Icons should be venerated alike. In every Orthodox church, the Gospel Book has a place of honor on the altar table; it is carried in procession at the Divine Liturgy and at Matins on Sundays and feast days. Such is the respect shown in the Orthodox Church for the Word of God.