Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Sacrilege \Sac"ri*lege\, n. [F. sacril[`e]ge, L. sacrilegium,
   from sacrilegus that steals, properly, gathers or picks up,
   sacred things; sacer sacred + legere to gather, pick up. See
   {Sacred}, and {Legend}.]
   The sin or crime of violating or profaning sacred things; the
   alienating to laymen, or to common purposes, what has been
   appropriated or consecrated to religious persons or uses.

         And the hid treasures in her sacred tomb With sacrilege
         to dig.                                  --Spenser.

         Families raised upon the ruins of churches, and
         enriched with the spoils of sacrilege.   --South.

Source : WordNet®

sacrilege
     n : blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its
         sacred character; "desecration of the Holy Sabbath" [syn:
          {profanation}, {desecration}, {blasphemy}]