Okuzeka
Religious Studies & Theology vocabulary · Worship and Ritual

Sacrament

Meaning in religious studies & theology, with examples

/ˈsækrəmənt/nounCommon term

In religious studies & theology, sacrament means: In Christianity, a sacred rite believed to be a visible sign through which God's grace is given, such as baptism and the Eucharist.

In Turkish: kutsal sır, sakrament, kutsal ayin

How it is used

Catholic and Orthodox churches recognize seven sacraments (the Orthodox often call them mysteries); most Protestant churches recognize two, baptism and the Lord's Supper. You receive or administer a sacrament. The adjective is sacramental.

Example sentences

  1. The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments, including baptism, confirmation and marriage.

  2. Most Protestant churches celebrate only two sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Common collocations

  • receive a sacrament
  • the seven sacraments
  • administer the sacraments
  • sacramental theology
  • liturgyThe fixed order of words, prayers and actions used in public worship, especially in Christian churches; also a particular service, such as the Divine Liturgy.
  • priestA person authorized to perform sacred rituals, such as offering sacrifices or administering sacraments, in traditions such as Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity and Hinduism.
  • CatholicismThe faith, teaching and practice of the Catholic Church, the largest Christian church, which is led by the Pope as Bishop of Rome.
  • ritualA set of actions, words or gestures performed in a fixed, repeated way, often with symbolic or religious meaning, such as a prayer service, a wedding or a funeral.
  • churchA building for Christian worship; also a particular Christian community or organization, such as the Catholic Church, or Christians as a whole.

More terms: Worship and Ritual

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: