Question

Choose the right word to complete each sentence in this excerpt from Bede's An Ecclesiastical History of the English People.

Answer 1

At another time also, being called to consecrate Earl Addi's church, when he had performed that duty, he was entreated by the earl to go in to one of his servants, who lay dangerously ill, and having lost the use of all his limbs, seemed to be just at death's door; and indeed the coffin had been provided to bury him in. The earl urged his entreaties with tears, earnestly praying that he would go in and pray for him, because his life was of great consequence to him; and he believed that if the bishop would lay his hand upon him and give him his blessing, he would soon mend. The bishop went in, and saw him in a dying condition, and the coffin by his side, whilst all that were present were in tears. He said a prayer, blessed him, and on going out, as is the usual expression of comforters, said, "May you soon recover.

To consecrate means to declare something sacred, and to desecrate means to violate. If you pray for somebody, you want something good to happen to them, if you bless them, you ask God's protection for them. Blessing is a good thing, curse is a bad thing. To recover means to get well, and  to deteriorate means to become even sicker.