ANATHEMA

ANATHEMA, an Excommunication, attended with Execrations and Curses. See EXCOMMUNICATION.
There are two Kinds of Anathemas; the one Judicatory, the other Abjuratory. The former can only be pronounced by a Council, a Pope, Bishop, or other qualified Person; and differs from a simple Excommunication in this, that an Excommunication only prohibits the Criminal from entering within the Church, or holding Communion with the Faithful; whereas an Anathema cuts him off from the Body, the Society, and even the Commerce of the Faithful, and delivers him over to the Devil.
The latter kind of Anathema usually makes a Part of the Ceremony of Abjuration; the Convert being obliged to anathematize the Heresy he abjures. See ABJURATION. Most Greek Writers distinguish Anathema, written with a long e, Ἀνάθεμα; from Anathema with a short e, Ἀνάθημα.
Yet Beza rejects the Difference.—Pollux, in his Lexicon, observes that the Word properly signifies, Gifts dedicated to the Gods: This Interpretation is confirmed by Hesychius, who explains Anathema by Ornaments; these Gifts being hung up as Ornaments in the Temples.
The Critics and Commentators are divided about the manner wherein St. Paul wishes to be Anathema for his Brethren, Romans, Cap. IX. 3. Some render it by accursed for, others by separated from, etc.

ANATHEMA