Difference Between Adoration and Veneration

Key Difference – Adoration vs Veneration
 

Adoration and Veneration are two words that can often be confusing as mos people fail to realize that the two words consist of a key difference. On a general note, Adoration and veneration are terms with similar meanings. However, in Catholic Christianity, adoration is differentiated with veneration. First let us define the two words. Adoration is a term that is reserved for worship of God alone. On the other hand, Veneration is a term that is used for honoring the saints and Mary. This is the basic difference between the two words. Through this article let us attempt to gain a clearer understanding of the two words.

What is Adoration?

First let us have a closer look at the word adoration. In day today conversation, adoration can be used for people. For instance, we adore people that we love. When someone says, I adore her, it highlights a sense of respect and also love for the person. However when engaging in a comparison with the word veneration, it is vital to pay attention to other meanings as well such as in the case of religion. Adoration is a term that is reserved for worship of God alone. It comes from the Greek Latria, which is used to praise and adore the Supreme Being. In Catholic Christianity, you as a believer can adore the God as someone who is perfect in every way. Now let us move on to the next word, Veneration.

What is Veneration?

Veneration is a term that is used for honoring the saints and Mary. The worship of saints is not the same as our worship of God, and this is why it is referred to as veneration that comes from the Greek Dulia. We can honor the saints and Mary as we know that they are virtuous Christians, and we need to respect and adulate them. However, we are also aware that saints are not God and do not need to be worshiped. If there are degrees of honor, you can begin with admiration and go on to veneration (high honor) and finally reach adoration (highest honor). This highlights that a key difference appears between adoration and veneration. This difference between the two words can be summarized as follows.

What is the Difference Between Adoration and Veneration?

Definitions of Adoration and Veneration:

Adoration: Adoration is a term that is reserved for worship of God alone.

Veneration: Veneration is a term that is used for honoring the saints and Mary.

Characteristics of Adoration and Veneration:

Used for:

Adoration: Adoration is reserved for God alone as we worship him for being the savior, the Supreme Being who is perfect in every way.

Veneration: Veneration is reserved for saints and Mary as we honor them for being virtuous Christians.

Greek Term:

Adoration: Adoration comes from Greek latria.

Veneration: Veneration comes from Greek Dulia.

 

 

Image Courtesy:

1. “Templo Expiatorio Nacional de San Felipe de Jesús – Adoración nocturna” by ProtoplasmaKid – Own work. [CC BY-SA 4.0] via Commons

2. Ochsenhausen klosterkirche 029 fresco veneration of monstrance By Mattana (Self-photographed) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons