What is desecration? This is a word that was previously used when it came to damage to the property of the temple. It is found in the Bible. Desecration - blasphemous actions over a relic, a shrine.
Meaning of the word
The Dahl dictionary says: to defile is to dishonor, scold, defile. These words are not used for a long time in colloquial speech - they refer to church vocabulary. The scripture says that evil thoughts can defile a person. In this context, the neutral “spoil” can serve as a synonym for the verb. But more often, “desecration” and words with the same root to it are used when it comes to insulting representatives of a particular religion. We give an example from history.
Desecration of the guest
Anti-Semitism has a long history. At different times, Jews were attacked by representatives of a particular religion, social or political system. A guest is an attribute that is used in a Protestant church. Since the beginning of the 13th century, Jews have more than once been accused of his abduction and desecration. Similar accusations were common in many European cities in the Middle Ages. They led to bloody pogroms and executions. The accusation of desecrating a guest is a form of blood libel.
The desecration of Orthodox churches
In the 20 years of the last century, according to the Decree on Land, territories belonging to churches were transferred to the disposal of newly created organizations. In addition, at the end of 1917 all national religious privileges and restrictions were abolished. Five years later, the Bolsheviks began an active struggle with religious institutions. They considered Orthodox churches as dangerous centers of "internal counter-revolution", they deported priests and shot them. Churches were robbed, and the premises were used for other purposes - as warehouses, clubs, canteens. These actions are called the desecration of the temple. In other words, an insult to the feelings of believers.
To defile is to perform destructive actions in relation to objects that have not only material, but also spiritual value.
Vandalism
This term refers to the desecration of cultural objects, art. The Criminal Code punishes such crimes. The very concept of “vandalism” arose in the ancient era. The Romans called the vandals the representatives of the East Germanic tribes, who, being dark people, destroyed works of art and architectural monuments of high artistic value.