apostatize
renounce a religious or political belief or principle.
ardent
having, expressive of, or characterized by intense feeling; passionate; fervent.
arduous
requiring great exertion; laborious; difficult.
atrocious
extremely or shockingly wicked, cruel, or brutal.
avaricious
characterized by avarice; greedy; covetous.
baleful
full of menacing or malign influences; pernicious.
beguile
to influence by trickery, flattery, etc.; mislead; delude.
calumny
a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something.
catacomb
an underground passageway, especially one full of twists and turns.
catechism
an elementary book containing a summary of the principles of the Christian religion, especially as maintained by a particular church, in the form of questions and answers.
censure
strong or vehement expression of disapproval.
Clergy
the group or body of ordained persons in a religion, as distinguished from the laity.
countenance
appearance, especially the look or expression of the face.
destitute
without means of subsistence; lacking food, clothing, and shelter.
diabolical
having the qualities of a devil; devilish; fiendish; outrageously wicked.
distort
to twist awry or out of shape; make crooked or deformed.
extremity
the extreme or terminal point, limit, or part of something.
faux pas
a slip or blunder in etiquette, manners, or conduct; an embarrassing social blunder or indiscretion.
fervent
having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc.; ardent.
importunity
persistence in solicitation.
indefatigable
incapable of being tired out; not yielding to fatigue; untiring.
infidel
a person who does not accept a particular faith, especially Christianity.
insurrection
an act or instance of rising in revolt, rebellion, or resistance against civil authority or an established government.
languid
lacking in vigor or vitality; slack or slow.
Martyr
a person who willingly suffers death rather than renounce his or her religion.
monotonous
lacking in variety; tediously unvarying.
obsequious
characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning.
peril
exposure to injury, loss, or destruction; grave risk; jeopardy; danger.
proffer
to put before a person for acceptance; offer.
rancour/rancor
bitter, rankling resentment or ill will; hatred; malice.
seminary
a special school providing education in theology, religious history, etc., primarily to prepare students for the priesthood, ministry, or rabbinate.
seraph (pl. seraphim)
a member of the highest order of angels, often represented as a child's head with wings above, below, and on each side.
sophistry
an argument that turns on equivocal wordplay or rhetoric, rather than valid logic.
thwart
to oppose successfully; prevent from accomplishing a purpose.
