cult / worship
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cult / worship
The totality of religious acts and rites practiced in worship of a deity or saint. It describes the formal practice of religious worship.
Im antiken Rom gab es einen ausgeprägten Kultus um den Kaiser.
In ancient Rome, there was a well-developed cult around the emperor.
You can recognize the meaning of 'Kultus' from the context. If it is about religion or history, ritual worship (m01) is meant. If it is about fans or exaggerated admiration, modern adoration (m02) is meant. In connection with politics and education, it refers to administration (m03).
Im alten Ägypten gab es einen komplexen Totenkultus.
In ancient Egypt, there was a complex cult of the dead.
'Kultus' can easily be confused with the English word 'cult'. While 'cult' often describes a dangerous, manipulative group (in German 'Sekte'), 'Kultus' (m02) usually means harmless, though exaggerated, adoration, similar to 'cult of personality'.
Die Fans betreiben einen regelrechten Kultus um die Schauspielerin.
The fans have built up a veritable cult around the actress.
In its religious meaning, 'Kultus' (cult/worship) is a formal word that occurs mainly in theological, historical, or academic texts.
Der Mithras-Kultus war im Römischen Reich weit verbreitet.
The cult of Mithras was widespread in the Roman Empire.
In the meaning 'übersteigerte Verehrung' (exaggerated adoration), the fixed expression 'einen Kultus um jemanden/etwas betreiben' (to build up/make a cult around someone/something) is often used.
Manche Leute betreiben einen wahren Kultus um ihr Auto.
Some people make a real cult of their car.
This meaning is almost exclusively limited to the administrative and political sphere in Germany. It is usually found as part of the word 'Kultusministerium' (Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs), which in some federal states is responsible for education and culture.
Er arbeitet als Beamter im Bereich Kultus.
He works as a civil servant in the area of education and culture.
church service
'der Gottesdienst' and 'der Kultus' can both refer to religious acts of worship. 'Gottesdienst' is the normal word for a specific religious service that people attend. 'Kultus' is much more formal and refers more to the totality of rites and religious acts. You are more likely to hear it in specialist texts, history, or religion. The words can be confused because a church service can be part of a 'Kultus'. In everyday language, people almost always say 'Gottesdienst' when they mean a particular service.
Im Museum erklärte die Führung den alten Kultus um diese Göttin.
In the museum, the guided tour explained the ancient cult surrounding this goddess.
Nach dem Frühstück ist sie zum Gottesdienst in die Kirche gegangen.
After breakfast, she went to the church service.