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Devotion (Concept)
(255 words)

[German Version]

In German, especially in Protestantism, this term (from Lat. devotio) is still used today only in connection with the Roman ritual of devotio and the late medieval devotio moderna movement. In pre-Christian usage, devotio referred to the dedication of the will to the gods, humans, and laws. In Christian usage, its meaning was restricted to the dedication to God associated with obedience and humility. Thomas Aquinas treated devotion along with prayer as interior actus religionis, from which external actions proceed (Summa Theologiae 2–2 q. 82). In modern usage,…

Cite this page
Köpf, Ulrich, “Devotion (Concept)”, in: Religion Past and Present. Consulted online on 28 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1877-5888_rpp_SIM_04944>
First published online: 2011
First print edition: ISBN: 9789004146662, 2006-2013



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