sanctify

Sanctify is a verb meaning to set apart as holy or to make holy. It can also denote purification or consecration for sacred use, and in secular contexts may describe moral or spiritual purification or the act of dedicating something to a sacred purpose.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin sanctus “holy” and was formed in English through Old French sanctifier. The root is linked to related terms such as sacred and sanctuary, reflecting the core idea of rendering something worthy of reverence.

Religious traditions: In Christian thought, sanctification generally refers to the process by which a person becomes holier through grace and moral growth. It is often contrasted with justification, the act of being declared righteous. Views vary: Catholic and Orthodox theology emphasize sanctification as a lifelong transformation aided by the sacraments and the Holy Spirit; many Protestant traditions view it as an ongoing process of growth in holiness.

Ritual use: Sanctify is used for acts that dedicate persons, places, or objects to sacred use, such as consecrating a church, ordaining clergy, or blessing vessels. It also appears in rites that sanctify time, notably the setting apart of holy days or Sabbaths in various faith communities.

Other religious contexts: In Judaism, sanctification often concerns making time or space holy, as in the sanctification of the Sabbath and festivals and ritual objects. In Islam, concepts of purification and devotion fulfill a similar spiritual aim, though the English term sanctify is less central than terms like tahara and tazkiyah. In secular usage, sanctify may describe moral purification or elevating ethical standards.