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Martha

(Encyclopedia)Martha, in the New Testament, friend of Jesus, sister of Mary and Lazarus of Bethany. In Christian literature, Martha has been a symbol of the active, as opposed to the contemplative, life. Feast: Jul...

Grünewald, Mathias

(Encyclopedia)Grünewald, Mathias mätēˈäs grünˈəvält [key], c.1475–1528, German painter of religious subjects. His original name was Mathis Gothart Neithart. Although he assimilated various compositional ...

Thomas, Saint

(Encyclopedia)Thomas, Saint, one of the Twelve Apostles, called Didymus. According to John, he refused to believe in the resurrection until he saw Jesus' wounds; hence the expression “doubting Thomas.” John 11....

Wise Men of the East

(Encyclopedia)Wise Men of the East, Magi, or Three Kings, men who came from the East to adore the newborn Jesus. Mat. 2. They were the first to tell Herod of the birth. A star (the Star of Bethlehem) had been a si...

Gabbatha

(Encyclopedia)Gabbatha găbˈəthə [key], in the New Testament, yard or porch where Pilate sat in judgment on Jesus. ...

Chorazin

(Encyclopedia)Chorazin kōrāˈzĭn [key], city NW of the Sea of Galilee, denounced by Jesus in the New Testament. ...

Sirach, book of the Bible

(Encyclopedia)Sirach ēklēˌzēăsˈtĭkəs [key] [Lat. from Gr.,=ecclesiastical], book included in the Septuagint and in the Roman Catholic canon of the Old Testament but not included in the Hebrew Bible and plac...

Epiphany

(Encyclopedia)Epiphany ĭpĭfˈənē [key] [Gr.,=showing], a prime Christian feast, celebrated Jan. 6, called also Twelfth Day or Little Christmas. Its eve is Twelfth Night. It commemorates three events—the bapti...

Lainez, Diego

(Encyclopedia)Lainez, Diego dēāˈgō līnĕthˈ [key], 1512–65, Spanish theologian, leader of the Counter Reformation; general of the Society of Jesus. He was one of the small band that formed the original Soci...

Malchus

(Encyclopedia)Malchus mălˈkəs [key], in the New Testament, servant of the high priest; Jesus healed him after Peter cut off his ear. ...