kiss of peace

American

noun

(in certain Christian churches) a ceremonial greeting or embrace given as a token of Christian love and unity.
a ceremonial kiss formerly given, especially at a baptism or Eucharistic service, as a token of Christian love and unity.

Etymology

Origin of kiss of peace

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The contact is accidental, yet they appear to be exchanging an ever-so-tender kiss of peace.

From New York Times

When one church let parishioners move the kiss of peace to the start of the service, he looked the other way.

From Chicago Tribune

Henry repeatedly and ominously refused to exchange the kiss of peace with him, and the archbishop knew his stand against royal demands was likely to end badly.

From The Guardian

Then the kiss of peace went round, the women receiving it by a touch of the elbow.

From Project Gutenberg

The kiss of peace is given before the Consecration; the Credo is recited after the offertory.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023