sanctified

Sanctified is the past participle of sanctify, from Latin sanctificare, meaning to make holy or set apart. In English, sanctified can refer to something made holy or to the act of setting something aside for sacred use.

In Christian theology, sanctification denotes the spiritual process by which a believer is made holy through divine grace. Many traditions distinguish between positional sanctification, the believer's status as holy in relation to God, and progressive sanctification, the ongoing growth in holiness through the Holy Spirit’s work. Means of sanctification commonly cited include prayer, study of scripture, participation in the church’s rites, and living in accordance with moral commandments. Objects or places may be sanctified or consecrated, signaling their dedicated use in worship or service.

In Judaism, holiness is tied to adherence to commandments and to the sanctification of time and space; kedushah reflects this focus. Certain days, objects, and actions are set apart for divine purposes, for example Shabbat sanctification through blessing. In Islam, the related idea centers on purification and devotion to God (tazkiyah), with sanctified language appearing in translations but less emphasis on sanctification as a formal process.

In secular use, sanctified can describe something regarded as sacred or revered, or metaphorically, as morally pure or beyond reproach. The term appears in literature and legal language to denote consecration or protection by ritual authority.