Distinctions are super important—especially when it comes to Catholic teaching.
One of the perks of the Greek language is its clarity—for instance, there are often several different words to express the facets and subtleties of a thing for which we, in our concise English language, have only one (maybe two) words.
“Veneration” is a good example. When necessary, we exchange it for “honor,” or vice versa. We say we venerate or honor the saints and the Blessed Mother—but we’re leaving out all the nuances of that veneration.
We honor the Blessed Mother on a much higher level than we honor all the other saints, because she is the God-bearer and the Queen of Heaven. Since she is the means by which our Savior came into the world, God elevated her above all mankind. In recognition of this, we honor her above all mankind.
Detail of Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints by Raphael
In English, we acknowledge the distinction between honor and worship (worship belongs to God alone, but honor can be given to the creatures He made). In Greek, there is also a distinction between types of honor. There is the honor due to our fellow men, and the honor due to God. The honor due to mankind is “dulia”—so, when we honor the saints, we are giving them “dulia.”
The Blessed Mother also receives “dulia,” but with this distinction: since her honor is above everyone else, she receives “hyperdulia”—honor that exceeds every other honor paid to a man. This “hyperdulia” is given to her alone.
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