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Purification

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Acronyms, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
purification, in religion, the ceremonial removal of what the religion deems unclean. The usual agents of purification are water (as in baptism baptism [Gr., =dipping], in most Christian churches a sacrament. It is a rite of purification by water, a ceremony invoking the grace of God to regenerate the person, free him or her from sin, and make that person a part of the church.
..... Click the link for more information. ), bodily alteration (as in circumcision circumcision , operation to remove the foreskin covering the glans of the penis. It dates back to prehistoric times and was widespread throughout the Middle East as a religious rite before it was introduced among the Hebrews, presumably by Abraham.
..... Click the link for more information. ), and fire. The origin of purification rites is a matter of dispute, but frequently the necessity for purification may result from violation of taboo or from defilement incurred while participating in critical events of life, such as childbirth, puberty, marriage, bloodshed or war, and death. The ancient Hebrew rites are described in the Bible, as in chapter 19 of the Book of Numbers. Candlemas Candlemas , Feb. 2, Christian festival commemorating the Purification of the Blessed Virgin and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. The name Candlemas is derived from the procession of candles, inspired by the words of Simeon "a light to lighten the Gentiles"
..... Click the link for more information.  commemorates the purification of the Virgin Mary after the birth of Jesus.
Purification
Circe
purified Jason and Medea after their murder of Apsyrtus. [Gk. Myth.: Benét, 201]
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The god had commanded that their purification should be the purification by pilgrimage.
The Moonstone by Collins, Wilkie View in context
from an English gentleman in the party checked the adventurer, and then we were informed that so dire a profanation is it for a Christian dog to set foot upon the sacred threshold of a Moorish mosque that no amount of purification can ever make it fit for the faithful to pray in again.
The Innocents Abroad by Twain, Mark View in context
Through all these means of purification for the priestly career, he passed at last into the one sphere that was worthy of him: he entered the Church, under the protection of influential friends.
I Say No by Collins, Wilkie View in context
 
 
 
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