Difference Between Veneration and Reverence

Key Difference – Veneration vs Reverence
 

Veneration and reverence are two words that indicate deep respect, awe, admiration, and esteem. The key difference between veneration and reverence is that the term veneration indicates a high degree of respect and admiration when compared to the term reverence. Thus, the term veneration is often used with regard to deities, saints and other religious figures whereas reverence is used in a general sense. However, in some contexts, these two words can be used as synonyms.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What Does Veneration Mean
3. What Does Reverence Mean
4. Side by Side Comparison – Veneration vs Reverence in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What Does Veneration Mean?

Veneration is an emotion or feeling we feel towards people or things we greatly respect and admire. Veneration is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “respect or awe inspired by the dignity, wisdom, dedication, or talent of a person” and by the Oxford dictionary as “great respect or reverence.”  Veneration is also equal to worship. This word is often used in the context of religion to refer to deities and other supernatural beings and powers.

Figure 01: Veneration of Saint.Mary

The following sentences will help you to understand the meaning and usage of this noun.

• His respect for the man bordered on veneration.
• Over the years, this great hero became an object of veneration.
• To his devotees, the great Baba was a person to be venerated.

What Does Reverence Mean?

Reverence is a feeling of deep respect mixed with awe. The Oxford dictionary defines it as “deep respect for someone or something” while the Merriam-Webster defines it as “honor or respect felt or shown.” This word is often used in the modern context with regard to religion. Religion often stimulates reverence through recognition and respect for God and the supernatural. In this sense, this term is quite similar to veneration.

However, reverence is an emotion that can be felt outside the realm of religion as well. A great personality, as well as other concepts such as nature, beauty, and wisdom, may also inspire the emotion of reverence in a person.

Figure 02:  Beauty of nature can inspire reverence.

The following sentences will help you to understand the meaning and usage of this word more clearly.

• At the end of the ceremony, she performed a ritual that shows reverence for the dead.
• His poetry stems from his deep admiration and reverence for the beauty of nature.
• The golden cup was regarded with great reverence since it was believed to be used by his holiness.

The word reverence is also used as a title or form of address to a member of the clergy.

What is the Difference Between Veneration and Reverence?

Summary – Veneration vs Reverence

The two words veneration and reverence both imply deep respect, awe, and admiration. The difference between veneration and reverence stems from the degree of respect as well as their contextual usage. Veneration implies a higher degree of respect and awe with comparison to reverence, and is consequently used with regard to religion.

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Image Courtesy:

1.’Sano di Pietro. Madonna of Mercy.1440s Private coll’ By Sano di Pietro  (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia 
2.’24701-nature-natural-beauty’By BesartaVuqa – Own work, (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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