hierolatry

/ˌhaɪəˈrɑlətri/
noun
  1. The worship or excessive veneration of sacred things, saints, or religious figures.
    • In his essay, he warned that hierolatry could distract from true spiritual devotion.
    • The ancient practice of hierolatry involved offering gifts to statues of gods.
    • Some critics accused the church of hierolatry for placing too much emphasis on relics.
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