Weihen

Weihen is a German verb meaning to consecrate or to dedicate, especially in a religious sense. It describes the act of setting apart something for sacred use or purpose, and it can also refer to ordaining people for religious duties. The noun form Weihe refers to the act or ceremony of consecration; its plural Weihen is used for multiple consecrations or blessings, though Weihe is more common in everyday talk.

Etymology and scope: The word derives from the related noun Weihe, which denotes a sacred rite. In many Christian traditions, weihen denotes a formal rite in which a person or object is made sacred through ritual action performed by a priest or bishop. The verb forms include ich weihe, du weihst, er weiht, wir weihen, ihr weiht, sie weihen, with the perfect participle geweiht. A related verb is einweihen, meaning to inaugurate or open something new, such as a church, a building, or a project, into public use.

Usage and contexts: Weihen is commonly used for ceremonies that designate holy use, such as the consecration of churches, altars, relics, or sacred vessels, and for ordination or installation of clergy. It can also be used more broadly to mean dedicating a person or object to a particular purpose, as in “jemanden zum Dienst weihen” or “eine Stätte dem Gottesdienst weihen.” In everyday language, Weihe contrasts with Segnung (blessing) in that Weihe emphasizes sacred dedication and formal consecration rather than a general blessing.

See also: Weihe, consecration, ordination, einweihen, Segnung.