What is Benediction?
'''Benediction''' is a short prayer for help and blessings from [[God]]. They are usually delivered at the end of a [[Christian worship|worship]] service. [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholics]] have many more benedictions, usually with many [[candle]]s (even poor churches have at least ten),<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02465b.htm |title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament |work=newadvent.org |access-date=24 July 2010}}</ref> than [[Protestantism|Protestants]], who only have a few simple benedictions. A kind of benediction that is often done in both Roman Catholic and Protestant [[church]]es is for the worship leader to raise his hands and say the [[Bible|Biblical]] Priestly Blessing ({{bibleverse||Numbers|6:23-27|KJV}}). This was made popular by [[Martin Luther]] in his Deutsche Messe (German Mass).<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/60605/benediction |title=benediction (religion) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia |work=britannica.com |access-date=24 July 2010}}</ref> It is a tradition in most Lutheran Churches.<ref>Precht, Fred L. ''Lutheran Worship History and Practice''. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1993. p. 434.</ref> [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]] also wrote a [[short story]] called ''Benediction'' in 1920. == References == {{reflist}} {{religion-stub}} [[Category:Christian genres]] [[he:ברכה]]