A ceremony is a unified ritualistic event with a purpose, usually consisting of a number of artistic components, performed on a special occasion.

Most churches and religions claim some extra advantage conferred by the deity e.g. Roman Catholics believe that through the words of consecration in the mass ceremony, God himself becomes actually present on the altar. To consecrate is to officially state in a special religious ceremony that a place or building is holy and can be used for religious purposes, or that someone is now a priest, bishop etc.

Both church and civil ceremonies share the powerful psychological, social and cultural influences which all ceremony seeks to attain. Obviously, the style of music played, words used, other components and the structure vary.

From pre-Christian Roman times in the marriage ceremony, we inherit best men and bridesmaids, processions, signing of the contract, exchange of rings and even the wedding cake.

Ceremonies are the time and place setting wherein people seriously communicate. For example, in front of witnesses the groom tells the bride that he loves her and wants to be with her for the rest of his life. Such a statement has much more force than if said privately.

It is in the ceremony that groups of people come together. It is in the ceremony that they make compacts, that they recognise achievement, that they assert identity, that they established connections, that they declare love, that they pay tribute, that they express grief.

Ceremonies, as they always had been, are historically the bridge between the visual and performing arts and the people.

A celebrant is a person who performs or takes part in a religious ceremony.

Marriage, or a wedding, is the flagship ceremony of every culture; almost as important is the funeral or burial ceremony.

Naming Ceremonies existed in human culture long before Christianity or any of the major religions came on the scene. Every community has a ceremony to welcome a new child into the world, to give that child recognition, and to celebrate the birth of new life.

Ceremonies may have a physical display or theatrical component: dance, a procession, the laying on of hands. A declaratory verbal pronouncement may explain or cap [功德圆满] the occasion, for instance:

• I now pronounce you husband and wife.
• I swear to serve and defend the nation ...
• I declare open the games of ...
• I/We dedicate this ... ... to ...

Both physical and verbal components of a ceremony may become part of a liturgy. A liturgy is a particular form of religious service, usually one that is set and approved by a branch of the Christian Church.

六级/考研单词: ceremony, unify, ritual, component, confer, secular, holy, priest, bishop, potent, psychology, attain, procession, bridegroom, bride, compact, assert, tribute, grief, funeral, physics, pronounce, dedicate