For one instance, it is clear that a great number of rites which were formerly explained as remnants of human sacrifice are simply ceremonies of initiation.
All through the backward parts of Greece obscene and cruel rites lingered on, the darker and worse the further they were removed from the full light of Hellenism.
The rites are performed about the Vernal Equinox, when the fruits of the earth are ceasing to be produced, and day is becoming longer than night, which applies well to Spirits rising higher.
This solves the question about sacrifices and other rites performed to the Gods.
Again, to worship emblems of fertility and generation, as was done in agricultural rites all through the Aegean area, is in itself an intelligible and not necessarily a degrading practice.
In other Christian writings the misrepresentation of pagan rites and beliefs is decidedly foul-mouthed and malicious.
But unfortunately too many hard-caked superstitions, too many tender and sensitive associations, were linked with particular figures in the pantheon or particular rites which had brought the worshippers religious peace.
This is best shown by the rites of tribal initiation, which seem normally to have formed part of the spring Drômena or sacred performances.
He then performed the funeral rites of Patroclus, with which the Iliad closes.
In the Jewish ceremonial the altar held an important place, and was associated with many of the most significant rites of religion.
The Roman Catholic priests endeavoured to induce the emperor and his family to renounce the tenets and rites of the Coptic Church, and to adopt those of Rome.
And," added the Baronet, "in exercising the ritesof devotion with a pomp and ceremonial worthy of the office of the priesthood.
But be they men or fiends," said the undaunted forester, "that busy themselves yonder with such fantastical rites and gestures, I will go and demand a light to rekindle our furnace.
The simple and pleasing ceremony in the case of Syam Dass presented a contrast to the prolonged, expensive, and obscene rites of the Hindoos, which attracted the people.
At present some of their ritesand customs are observed, and some are neglected.
There are enchanters and diviners, versed in the rites and customs relative to the dead, who go about villages and towns begging.
In the oldest Greek, Armenian, Syrian and other rites of baptism, a service of giving a Christian (i.
Trypho, Justin asserts, as against Jewish rites of ablution, that Christian baptism alone can purify those who have repented.
The Fathers themselves were the first to recognize that "the devil too had his sacraments," and that the Eleusinian, Isiac, Mithraic and other mystae used baptism in their rites of initiation.
These tworites really begin the catechumenate or period of instruction in the faith and discipline of the church.
I dare say I am wrong, but it seems to me that the only charm of these grotesque and absurd rites is that country people should practise them quietly and secretly, as a matter of old and customary tradition.
He did indeed warn his followers very sternly against the dangers of formalism; he never warned them against the danger of neglectingrites and ceremonies.
Established or accepted religious rites or usages of worship; state of religious development.
One who consecrates; one who performs the rites by which a person or thing is devoted or dedicated to sacred purposes.
The order for rites and forms in the Roman Catholic church, or the book containing the rules prescribed to be observed on solemn occasions.
The rites of the Corybants were accompanied by wild music, dancing, etc.
Then, too, her mind was greatly influenced by the choice of a new confessor at this period; for she had remained very religious, practising all the rites of the Church, and ever docile to the advice of her spiritual director.
These mysterious riteswere employed in the worship of Demeter or Mater, the mother god, or Mary.
The Eucharist is one of the oldest rites of antiquity, instituted many hundreds of years before the Lord’s Supper.
Another one of the Emperors, more zealous than his predecessors, decreed the death penalty against all persons discovered practicing any of the rites and ceremonies of the old religion.
Phoenix-like, From ashes of dead rites and truths abused Now soared unstained Religion.
They for her Renounced all else, the banquet and the dance, And nuptial rites revered.
Meantime, far off In Penda's palace-keep the revel raged, High feast of rites impure.
Their first step was, to call upon the government to limit the performance of those rites which the French Catholics had long revered as emblems of the national faith.
This combination of knighthood and religious rites is often ascribed to the crusades; but there is good evidence that it took place a little earlier, and must be referred to the latter half of the eleventh century.
Nevertheless the Brahmans allowed the old ritesof purification to exist beside the old sacrifice.
The rites of preparing the soma were already widely developed when the songs of the Rigveda over the offering were composed.
Here the fish appears to Manu when he is performing some expiatory rites on the shore of a river.
According to the Greeks the ritesof burial were plain and simple.
At the same time, their importance as preserving the old rites and the old faith tended to increase.
The custom of giving a pair of oxen for the bride follows from the rites of marriage still in existence,[321] and even now it is found in some regions of India.
Come, let us our rites begin; 125 'Tis only daylight that makes sin, Which these dun shades will ne'er report.
I could perform a jog (sacrifice) for as little as ten rupees; but such maimed rites are quite contrary to the Shástras.
During these rites the men-folk were perhaps more pleasantly engaged in doing ample justice to a repast provided for them in the outer rooms.
On learning a few days later that the case had been reported to headquarters as false, he was firmly convinced that Gobardhan's magical rites had saved him from ruin, and presented him with a bonus of Rs.
Others followed his example, and thus Nagendra was able to fulfil the rites prescribed by religion.
And fourthly, the ordinances and rites which we observe.
He said, Asphalion swift the laver brings; Alternate, all partake the grateful springs; Then from the ritesof purity repair, And with keen gust the savoury viands share.
Thus solemnrites and holy vows we paid To all the phantom-nations of the dead; Then died the sheep: a purple torrent flow'd, And all the caverns smoked with streaming blood.
To this Peiraeus: "Joyful I obey, Well pleased the hospitable rites to pay.
From nuptial rites they now no more recede, And fear forbids to falsify the brede.
If Jove prolong my days, and Pallas crown The growing virtues of my youthful son, To you shall rites divine be ever paid, And grateful offerings on your altars laid.
Ministrant to the queen, with busy care Four faithful handmaids the soft rites prepare; Nymphs sprung from fountains, or from shady woods, Or the fair offspring of the sacred floods.
Marco Polo's narrative seems nevertheless to prove, that at the end of the thirteenth century the Mongols had not yet entirely adopted the creed and rites of Lamism; we now find it professed by all the Kalmucks of Russia.
Spain and the United States of America sent each forty prelates, and the States of South America, thirty; whilst of the Oriental rites there were forty-two bishops.
It is not my intention to describe the funeral ritesof the ancient Greeks and Romans &c.
Nay, in some cases the reverence for the dead became transcendental, and the ritesof cremation were carried to such an extent that the funeral pile was shapen like an altar, and bedewed with wine and incense.
At first the Hindoos objected to use the cinerator; but, on finding that it involved no interference with their religious rites or feelings, they partially acquiesced in its use.
Marriage rites were scrupulously observed and the distinction between the sexes was carefully preserved.
Although not participating, she stayed for the celebration of the communion; and while the mystic, symbolic rites were performed, she neither prayed nor meditated.
The above list will hopefully give you a few useful examples demonstrating the appropriate usage of "rites" in a variety of sentences. We hope that you will now be able to make sentences using this word. Other words: amenities; ceremony; civility; formalities; grace; rite; ritual
