hierurgy

[ hahy-uh-rur-jee, hahy-rur- ]

noun

, plural hi·er·ur·gies.

1. a holy act or rite of worship.

Other Words From

• hier·urgi·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hierurgy¹

1670–80; < Greek hierourgía, derivative of hierourgós ritually sacrificing priest. See hier-, -urgy

Example Sentences

Hierurgy, hī′er-ur′ji, n. a sacred performance.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

But in the vision he lay breathless, on the floor before the gleaming wall of the sanctuary, while the shadows of the hierurgy were enacted; and it seemed to him that, for a moment of time, he saw in unendurable light the Mystery of Mysteries pass veiled before him, and the Image of the Slain and Risen.

From Project Gutenberg

And, beside the hare, the weasel and the pole-cat would lament grievously in the manner of penitent sinners; and wolves and lambs together adored the saint's hierurgy; and men have beheld tears streaming from the eyes of venomous serpents when Ilar Agios uttered 'Curiluson' with a loud voice—since the serpent is not ignorant that by its wickedness sorrow came to the whole world.

From Project Gutenberg

Its priests are called to an awful and tremendous hierurgy; its pontiffs are to be the pathfinders, the bridge-makers between the world of sense and the world of spirit.

From Project Gutenberg