Hagiography: meaning, definitions and examples
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hagiography
[ หhรฆษกiหษษกrษfi ]
biography accounts
Hagiography is a biography of a saint or an ecclesiastical leader. These writings are often more concerned with the sanctity and miracles of the individual than with biographical accuracy. Hagiographies can serve both religious and literary purposes, providing inspiration to the faithful and preserving the historical memory of saints.
Synonyms
biographical account, sacred biography, saint's life
Examples of usage
- The hagiography of St. Francis emphasizes his miraculous deeds.
- Many hagiographies highlight the moral lessons taught by saints.
- The church commissioned a hagiography to promote veneration.
- Studying hagiographies helps in understanding early Christian beliefs.
- She wrote a hagiography that became widely read in the community.
Translations
Translations of the word "hagiography" in other languages:
๐ต๐น hagiografia
๐ฎ๐ณ เคนเคพเคเคฟเคฏเฅเคเฅเคฐเคพเคซเฅ
๐ฉ๐ช Hagiographie
๐ฎ๐ฉ hagiografi
๐บ๐ฆ ะฐะณัะพะณัะฐััั
๐ต๐ฑ hagiografia
๐ฏ๐ต ่ไบบไผ่จ (ใใใใใงใใ)
๐ซ๐ท hagiographie
๐ช๐ธ hagiografรญa
๐น๐ท hagiografi
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฑ์ธ ์ ๊ธฐ
๐ธ๐ฆ ูุงุบููุบุฑุงูู
๐จ๐ฟ hagiografie
๐ธ๐ฐ hagiografia
๐จ๐ณ ๅฃๅพไผ ่ฎฐ
๐ธ๐ฎ hagiografija
๐ฎ๐ธ heilagaskรกld
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฐะณะธะพะณัะฐัะธั
๐ฌ๐ช แฐแแแแแแ แแคแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ hagiografiya
๐ฒ๐ฝ hagiografรญa
Etymology
The term 'hagiography' is derived from the Greek words 'hagios', meaning 'holy' or 'sacred', and 'graphia', which means 'writing' or 'scripture'. This word was first introduced into the English language in the late 19th century, primarily to describe texts written about saints and religious figures. Historically, hagiography served as an important literary form in Christian tradition, helping to establish the lives and virtues of saints while often enhancing the narratives with miraculous elements. These writings not only aimed to educate readers about the lives of the holy figures but also sought to inspire faith and devotion among the readers. In addition to Christian contexts, similar biographical forms can be found in other religious traditions, reflecting the universal human interest in the lives of exemplary individuals.