Anathema

[Gr. from ana, up, and tithemi, to put; properly, to separate.] ( Eccl. Hist.) The cutting off a person or persons from communion with the faithful; expulsion; curse. The Greek and Roman Catholic churches both make use of the A. In the latter it only can be pronounced by a pope, council, or some of the superior clergy. The subject of the A., who is himself termed an Anathema, is declared an outcast from the Catholic church; all Catholics are forbidden to a ociate with him, and utter destruction is denounced against him, both in body and soul. The curse is terrible. Mere excommunication is le severe. When an heretic wishes to reconcile himself with the Church, he is obliged to say anathema to his errors. Anathematical, a. Having the properties of, or relating to, an anathema. An athematically, adv. In an anathematical man IMG:content-0218.png:[blocks in formation] An'athoth. [Heb., answer, song, affliction, or poverty.] A grandson of Benjamin. A city of the Levites, the birthplace of Jeremiah.