sacrament
n. countablen. a very important religious ceremony or act. In the Christian church, it is seen as a special way to receive God's grace.
n. a religious ceremony or ritual regarded as an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual divine grace. In Christian theology, it specifically refers to rites such as baptism or the Eucharist.
The priest performed the sacrament of baptism.
The couple considered their marriage a holy sacrament that should be respected by the whole community.
While different denominations disagree on the exact number of valid sacraments, most recognize that these rituals serve as essential milestones in the spiritual life of a believer.
From Middle English sacrament, from Old French sacrement, from Ecclesiastical Latin sacrāmentum (“sacrament”), from Latin sacrō (“hallow, consecrate”), from sacer (“sacred, holy”), originally sum deposited by parties to a suit.
Often followed by the preposition 'of' to specify the ritual, such as 'the sacrament of marriage' or 'the sacrament of penance'.