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Kazantzakis, Nikos

(Encyclopedia)Kazantzakis, Nikos nēˈkôs käˌzändzäˈkēs [key], 1883?–1957, Greek writer, b. Crete. After obtaining a law degree he studied philosophy under Henri Bergson in Paris and traveled widely in Eur...

Paraclete

(Encyclopedia)Paraclete pârˈəklēt [key], in the New Testament, title of the Holy Spirit, often translated as “Comforter” or “Advocate.” In First John, Jesus himself is the “Paraclete.” ...

Cephas

(Encyclopedia)Cephas sēˈfəs [key], in the Gospels, Jesus' name for St. Peter. It is a transliteration of the Aramaic word for rock, and identical in meaning with “Peter” in Greek. ...

Heliand

(Encyclopedia)Heliand hĕlˈēənd, hāˈlēänd [key] [Old Saxon,=Savior], Old Saxon poem of 5,983 lines, a narrative of the life of Jesus in alliterative verse, written c.825. ...

Benson, Ezra Taft

(Encyclopedia)Benson, Ezra Taft, 1899–1994, U.S. secretary of agriculture (1953–61), b. Whitney, Idaho. An extension economist and marketing specialist at the Univ. of Idaho (1930–38) and executive secretary ...

Francis Xavier, Saint

(Encyclopedia)Francis Xavier, Saint, 1506–52, Basque Jesuit missionary, called the Apostle to the Indies, b. Spanish Navarre, of noble parents. He studied in Paris (1525–34), where he became an associate of St....

Pontius Pilate

(Encyclopedia)Pontius Pilate pŏnˈshəs pīˈlət [key], Roman prefect of Judaea (a.d. 26–36?). He was supposedly a ruthless governor, and he was removed at the complaint of Samaritans, among whom he engineered ...

Second Shepherds' Play

(Encyclopedia)Second Shepherds' Play, an English miracle play by the Wakefield Master (fl. 1425–50). The play portrays the adoration of Jesus by the shepherds. It is noteworthy for its introduction, a dramaticall...

Strauss, David Friedrich

(Encyclopedia)Strauss, David Friedrich däˈvēt frēˈdrĭkh shtrous [key], 1808–74, German theologian and philosopher. In Berlin he studied (1831–32) Hegelian philosophy. As tutor at Tübingen he lectured on ...

Rabboni

(Encyclopedia)Rabboni răbōˈnī [key] [Aram.,=my master], a variant of Rabbi, a title of respect to teachers. It is addressed to Jesus in the Gospels of St. Mark and St. John. ...