The New International Encyclopædia/Anathema

ANATH′EMA (Gk. ἀνάθεμα, or ἀνάθημα, anathēma, that which is set up, offered, or dedicated, from ἀνἀ, ana, up + τιθέναι, tithenai, to put, set, place). A word originally signifying some offering or gift to Deity, generally suspended in the Temple. Thus, we read in Luke xxi : 5 that the Temple was adorned “with goodly stones and gifts” (anathemasi). It also signifies a sacrifice to God; and, as the animals devoted to be sacrificed could not be redeemed from death, the word was ultimately used in its strongest sense, implying eternal perdition, as in Romans ix : 3, Galatians i : 8–9, and other places. In the Catholic Church a distinction has been made between excommunication and anathematizing; the latter being the extreme form of denunciation against obstinate offenders. The synod of Elvira (306) anathematized those who placed libelous writings in the Church and those who read them; the Nicene Council (325), the Arians; and so later councils and synods those who seriously offended. Thus that of Paris (846) forbids anathematization, on account of its being a “condemnation to eternal death,” to bishops without the consent of their archbishop and fellow bishops.