propitiatio

Propitiatio is a Latin noun meaning the act or process of propitiating, i.e., appeasing or gaining the goodwill of a deity or divine force. It derives from the verb propitiare “to propitiate” and from propitius “propitious, favorable.” In classical Latin literature, propitiatio denotes rituals, sacrifices, and other acts intended to appease or placate gods and to restore divine favor after misfortune or omens.

In ancient Rome and the broader Greco-Roman world, propitiatory rites were common whenever omens suggested a breach in the human–divine relationship. Offerings, vows, supplications, and priestly intercessions could be described as propitiations; the aim was to avert divine anger and reestablish a favorable disposition toward the community or individual worshipers.

In Christian theology, propitiation refers to the act by which the divine wrath is appeased or satisfied, typically through the atoning work of Christ. In Latin theological usage, propitiatio appears in the Vulgate as a translation of the Greek hilasterion and is used to describe atonement that reconciles humanity to God. In English, “propitiation” is a central term in discussions of the atonement, especially in Pauline texts (for example, Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2).

The term is often distinguished from expiation (expiatio) and from reconciliation, though in practice propitiation may entail elements of both ritual cleansing and restoration of relationship. In scholarly writing, propitiatio is primarily a liturgical and theological concept rather than a modern religious practice.