consecrations

Consecration is the act of dedicating something or someone to the service of a sacred purpose. It involves setting apart persons, places, or objects for holy use and recognizing their special status within a religious community. The concept appears in many traditions and can take several forms, including the consecration of persons, the dedication of spaces, and the consecration of elements used in worship.

In Christian practice, episcopal consecration refers to ordaining a bishop by other bishops, and it signals authority and responsibility within the church. The consecration of a church building or an altar designates the space as appropriate for worship and sacraments. The consecration of elements—such as bread and wine in the Eucharist—is another central form in many denominations.

Common elements across traditions often include prayers, liturgical formulas, and a ritual laying on of hands, sometimes accompanied by anointing with oil. The specific theology of what consecration accomplishes varies: in Catholic and Orthodox teaching the act creates or confers a sacred status or reality within the liturgy, while other traditions may emphasize dedication to divine service rather than a doctrinal change in nature.

Beyond strictly sacramental contexts, consecration can also denote secular dedications—such as the blessing or opening of a monument, a school, or a public building—where the language of sacred purpose is used to mark mission and significance.

Overall, consecrations articulate a transition from ordinary to sacred use, reflecting a community's desire to honor and preserve what is set apart for worship, service, or memory.