heirolatry
Definition
- Noun:
- Worship of saints or holy beings: "Heirolatry" refers to the veneration or adoration of saints, angels, or other sacred figures, often within a religious context. It is a specific form of idolatry directed toward holy entities rather than the divine itself.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Some critics argue that the excessive focus on saintly relics borders on heirolatry. (The veneration of holy objects or beings is seen as excessive.)
- The practice of heirolatry in certain traditions involves prayers and offerings to patron saints. (Worship directed toward holy figures.)
Advanced Usage
"to engage in heirolatry": to actively participate in the worship of saints or holy beings.
- The community’s rituals include elements of heirolatry, such as lighting candles before icons. (They perform acts of veneration for holy figures.)
"to be accused of heirolatry": to be charged with excessive devotion to saints, often in a theological debate.
- The reformer accused the church of heirolatry for its emphasis on saintly intercession. (The reformer claimed the church gave undue honor to saints.)
Variants and Related Words
Heirolatrous (adj): relating to or characterized by the worship of saints or holy beings.
- The heirolatrous practices of the medieval period were later criticized. (Practices involving the veneration of holy figures.)
Heirolater (n): a person who practices heirolatry.
- As a heirolater, she spent hours praying before the shrine of Saint Francis. (A devotee of saint worship.)
Synonyms
- Hagiolatry: the worship or veneration of saints (a near synonym, though "hagiolatry" is more common).
- Saint worship: the specific adoration of saints.
- Angelolatry: the worship of angels (a related but narrower term).
Phrasal Verbs
- (No common phrasal verbs are associated with "heirolatry" as it is a rare, technical term.)
Related Idioms
- (No idioms are directly associated with "heirolatry" due to its specialized nature.)