ADORATION

ADORATION, the act of rendering divine worship or honors, to a being. See GOD and WORSHIP.

The adoration of idols is called Idolatry. See IDOLATRY.

The Romanists profess a subordinate adoration to saints, images, relics, the cross, &c. See SAINT, IMAGE, RELIC, CROSS, &c. The word literally signifies, to apply the hand to the mouth; Manum ad Os admovere, q.d. to kiss the hand;this being, in the eastern countries, one of the great marks of respect and submission. The election of Popes is performed two ways, by adoration and by scrutiny. In the election by adoration, the Cardinals rush hastily, as if agitated by some spirit, and fall without more ado to the adoration of someone among them, and proclaim him Pope. See CARDINAL, POPE, &c. In the election by scrutiny, adoration is the last thing, and follows the election; as in the other it is the election itself, or rather supersedes the election. See ELECTION and SCRUTINY.

ADORATION