Difference between Adoration and Veneration

Adoration and veneration are very similar.

There are many ways for an individual to express their faith. The words veneration and adoration often come up especially in Christianity. While the idea may seem the same for both terms and may be considered synonymous dictionary-wise, the Christian community places a distinction between the two. Here are the differences between veneration and adoration.

Veneration is one of the forms of paying homage to God and the saints. Veneration can be broken down into two types in Greek terms - dulia and hyperdulia. The word veneration in itself is defined as the act of giving honor to a saint or an individual with a high degree of holiness. Dulia is generally the honoring of saints, while hyperdulia refers to giving honor to Mary. Veneration is done as a way to give admiration to virtuous Christians and show respect to them.

However, Christians acknowledge that the admiration and worship reserved for God is different from that of saints and the Mother Mary. In this context, there is adoration, or latria in Greek. Adoration is the act of worshiping God - to praise and worship him him as a perfect being. Adoration is reserved for God alone. The Catechism of the Catholic Church actually defines the term as “the acknowledgement of God as God, creator and savior, the Lord and master of everything that exists, as infinite and merciful love.”

In summary, veneration is a high admiration and honoring of saints and Mary, while adoration is the highest form of worship and homage reserved for God alone.

	Veneration	Adoration
Definition	The act of paying honor and respect to Mary and/or the saints	The act of paying worship and admiration to God as the Supreme Being
Greek term/s	Dulia, hyperdulia	Latria
Subject	Mary, saints	God

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