Sacrifice

Sacrifice, cultic act found in almost all religions, in which an object is consecrated and offered by a priest in worship to a deity. It often involves the killing of an animal or human being and thus the offering up of its life; sometimes a communion meal follows. Sacrifice may also be seen as the expiation of sin, the sealing of a covenant, or a gift to the god that invites blessing in return. Ancient Israel had an elaborate system of sacrifices (chief being that of Passover) that ceased when the Temple was destroyed (A.D. 70). In Christianity, Jesus' death is viewed as the one perfect and eternal sacrifice for sin.

See also: Religion.