reconsecrating
Making holy anew
Reconsecrating is the act of consecrating something again—restoring sacred status to a church, altar, or holy object that has been desecrated, deconsecrated, or profaned.
The term applies when religious spaces are returned to worship after being used for secular purposes, or when ritual purification follows some violation: The bishop spent the morning reconsecrating the vandalized chapel.
Prayer seeking divine favor
- anointingCeremonial oil application
- rededicationRenewed formal commitment
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- liturgyFormal worship structure
ordination · investiture · enthronement · installation · solemnization · invocation · procession · incantation
Sacred ritual table
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- chapelSmall worship room
- tabernaclePortable sacred dwelling
- shrineSacred devotional place
temple · church · cathedral · holy ground · sacred site · grotto · crypt · sanctum
Removing dirt or toxins
- ablutionRitualized washing of body
- lustrationCleansing rite or vetting
- sanctificationMaking someone or something sacred
- expiationRedress for offense
atonement · ritual washing · sprinkling · fumigation · purging · renewal · restoration · redemption
Ornate ritual drinking vessel
- vestmentsCeremonial religious attire
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
- holy waterSacramental liquid for blessings
- crucifixCross with Christ figure
icon · relic · Torah scroll · baptismal font · menorah · prayer beads · monstrance · censer
Profound admiring respect
- pietySincere religious devotion
- venerationProfound admiring respect
- worshipReligious reverence and praise
- holinessSacred spiritual purity
faith · spirituality · dedication · fidelity · allegiance · steadfastness · commitment · zeal
blessing
Prayer seeking divine favor
- anointingCeremonial oil application
- rededicationRenewed formal commitment
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
liturgy · ordination · investiture · enthronement · installation · solemnization · invocation · procession · incantation · benediction
altar
Sacred ritual table
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- chapelSmall worship room
- tabernaclePortable sacred dwelling
shrine · temple · church · cathedral · holy ground · sacred site · grotto · crypt · sanctum · nave
cleansing
Removing dirt or toxins
- ablutionRitualized washing of body
- lustrationCleansing rite or vetting
- sanctificationMaking someone or something sacred
expiation · atonement · ritual washing · sprinkling · fumigation · purging · renewal · restoration · redemption · absolution
chalice
Ornate ritual drinking vessel
- vestmentsCeremonial religious attire
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
- holy waterSacramental liquid for blessings
crucifix · icon · relic · Torah scroll · baptismal font · menorah · prayer beads · monstrance · censer · altar cloth
reverence
Profound admiring respect
- pietySincere religious devotion
- venerationProfound admiring respect
- worshipReligious reverence and praise
holiness · faith · spirituality · dedication · fidelity · allegiance · steadfastness · commitment · zeal · earnestness
priest
One who performs sacraments
rabbi · imam · monk · deacon · archbishop · cardinal · chaplain · officiant · celebrant · elder
reconsecratingdesecrating
Violating something sacred
profaning · defiling · violating · polluting · corrupting
reconsecratingdeconsecrating
Removing religious sanctification
secularizing · desanctifying · decommissioning · profaning · abandoning