ETYM Late Lat. deificare to deify: cf. French déification. Related to Deify.
The elevation of a person to the status of a god; SYN. exaltation, apotheosis.
The path or process whereby an individual can become a god. The deep distinction between mortal humans and immortal gods could be bridged through deification. Some Christians use the word in a more specific sense to refer to human participation in divine life through Christ, who is understood to be both God and human.
Deification was common in the ancient world—for example, in Egypt and Rome—enabling rulers to become gods after their death. In the ancient mystery religions, such as the cults of Mithras and Dionysus, it meant union with the deity, achieved by undergoing initiation rituals. + prikaži više