The word "immaculate" is familiar to everyone. It is quite often found on the pages of books, it is often used by clergy, it is also mentioned in ordinary conversations. The meaning of this expression seems to be clear, so few people think about what “immaculate” means.
Meanwhile, the word can be used in different contexts and, accordingly, change semantic shades. Of course, context does not have much effect on its general meaning.
What is the meaning of the word?
What does "blameless" mean when used in casual conversation or in a literary work? According to the interpretations given in the dictionaries, it has two semantic shades.
Saying "immaculate", people can mean the physiological state of a girl or woman. That is, in this context, the word means "virgin". Also, the expression may have slightly different semantic shades, such as "having no experience","innocent".
In classical literature, this word is usually used in the sense of "moral", "morally pure". That is, the epithet "immaculate" emphasizes certain qualities of the girl's personality.
Which meanings of the word are obsolete?
Linguists believe that such meanings of this word are outdated:
- "perfect";
- “devoid of vices.”
However, this causes some bewilderment, because the meaning of "blameless" is a direct interpretation of the word. What's the matter? The fact that “devoid of vices” is an expression that does not mean by itself an initially “pure” moral person, but one who simply leads a righteous life. That is, such people could have known vice before they began to adhere to moral principles.
What is the meaning of the word priests?
Special veneration of the Mother of God is inherent in all Christian denominations. However, the dogma of the Immaculate Conception is an integral part of the Catholic worldview.
The essence of it lies in the fact that, although the Blessed Virgin was conceived by Joachim and Anna in the usual way, she did not inherit original sin from them. And that is why it was originally blameless. Of course, the conception of Jesus by the Blessed Virgin is also characterized by the same epithet.
The Immaculate Conception is a cornerstone dogma, it is especially revered. Temples around the world are consecrated in his honor, there is one in Moscow. This is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, located next to Krasnaya Presnya, on Malaya Gruzinskayastreet.
The temple is built in neo-gothic style and is amazingly beautiful. It seems to be a small piece of Europe among typical Moscow buildings. In addition to worship, various events are held in the Cathedral, for example, instrumental concerts and festivals. There is also a unique Rodgers digital organ, the only one in Russia.
