canon, canonical ******urecanon, canonical ******ure. The books of the *Bible recognized as authoritative and divinely revealed. See also *Apocrypha.
cardinal. An official in the Roman *Catholic Christian *church next below the *pope, appointed by the pope as a member of the "college" of cardinals which was formed in the middle ages to assist the pope and elect new popes.cardinal. An official in the Roman *Catholic Christian *church next below the *pope, appointed by the pope as a member of the "college" of cardinals which was formed in the middle ages to assist the pope and elect new popes.cardinal. An official in the Roman *Catholic Christian *church next below the *pope, appointed by the pope as a member of the "college" of cardinals which was formed in the middle ages to assist the pope and elect new popes.cardinal. An official in the Roman *Catholic Christian *church next below the *pope, appointed by the pope as a member of the "college" of cardinals which was formed in the middle ages to assist the pope and elect new popes.
catechism. In early Christian usage, oral instruction in doctrine; can mean any official summary of doctrine used to teach newcomers to the faith.catechism. In early Christian usage, oral instruction in doctrine; can mean any official summary of doctrine used to teach newcomers to the faith.
catechumen. One receiving instruction in basic doctrines (*catechism) before *baptism or, if already baptized as an infant, before *confirmation or first *communion.catechumen. One receiving instruction in basic doctrines (*catechism) before *baptism or, if already baptized as an infant, before *confirmation or first *communion.catechumen. One receiving instruction in basic doctrines (*catechism) before *baptism or, if already baptized as an infant, before *confirmation or first *communion.catechumen. One receiving instruction in basic doctrines (*catechism) before *baptism or, if already baptized as an infant, before *confirmation or first *communion.
catholic, catholicism (from Greek meaning "universal, worldwide"). A selfdesignation used in early Christianity to suggest universality over against factionalism (see *orthodoxy, *heresy); thence it became a technical name for the western, Roman Catholic church.catholic, catholicism (from Greek meaning "universal, worldwide"). A selfdesignation used in early Christianity to suggest universality over against factionalism (see *orthodoxy, *heresy); thence it became a technical name for the western, Roman Catholic church.catholic, catholicism (from Greek meaning "universal, worldwide"). A selfdesignation used in early Christianity to suggest universality over against factionalism (see *orthodoxy, *heresy); thence it became a technical name for the western, Roman Catholic church.(from Greek meaning "universal, worldwide"). A self designation used in early Christianity to suggest universality over against factionalism (see *orthodoxy, *heresy); thence it became a technical name for the western, Roman Catholic church.
CECE or ce = "common era"; an attempt to use a neuteral term for the period traditionally labeled "AD" (<l>anno domini</> or "year of the Lord") by Christians. Thus 1992 CE is identical to AD 1992.
celibacy. The practice of refraining from sexual relationships in the interest of religious purity, known in Judaism among the *Essenes and developed extensively in Christianity (see *monk, *priest).celibacy. The practice of refraining from sexual relationships in the interest of religious purity, known in Judaism among the *Essenes and developed extensively in Christianity (see *monk, *priest).
chiliastic. From the Greek for "1000." Pertaining to the (Christian) belief that Christ will reign for a thousand years in the end-times; also called *millenarian (from the Latin). chiliastic. From the Greek for "1000." Pertaining to the (Christian) belief that Christ will reign for a thousand years in the end-times; also called *millenarian (from the Latin).
Christ. Greek translation of <h>meshiah</> (see messiah, below). Applied to *Jesus/Joshua of Nazareth by his followers as a title, but soon came to be treated as a sort of second name.Christ. Greek translation of <h>meshiah</> (see messiah, below). Applied to *Jesus/Joshua of Nazareth by his followers as a title, but soon came to be treated as a sort of second name.
Christmas (*mass for birth of *Christ). A relatively late developing annual Christian festival (see *calendar), now held on the fixed date of 25 December in most *churches. In earlier times (by the 4th century), the celebration of Jesus' birth tended to be in the spring, around the time of *Easter. Its observation in proximity to the winter solstice (shortest day of the year) encouraged the inclusion and development of many aspects that were not present or important in this celebration.Christmas (*mass for birth of *Christ). A relatively late developing annual Christian festival (see *calendar), now held on the fixed date of 25 December in most *churches. In earlier times (by the 4th century), the celebration of Jesus' birth tended to be in the spring, around the time of *Easter. Its observation in proximity to the winter solstice (shortest day of the year) encouraged the inclusion and development of many aspects that were not present or important in this celebration.Christmas (*mass for birth of *Christ). A relatively late developing annual Christian festival (see *calendar), now held on the fixed date of 25 December in most *churches. In earlier times (by the 4th century), the celebration of Jesus' birth tended to be in the spring, around the time of *Easter. Its observation in proximity to the winter solstice (shortest day of the year) encouraged the inclusion and development of many aspects that were not present or important in this celebration.Christmas (*mass for birth of *Christ). A relatively late developing annual Christian festival (see *calendar), now held on the fixed date of 25 December in most *churches. In earlier times (by the 4th century), the celebration of Jesus' birth tended to be in the spring, around the time of *Easter. Its observation in proximity to the winter solstice (shortest day of the year) encouraged the inclusion and development of many aspects that were not present or important in this celebration.
church (Greek <g>ekklesia</>, "summoned group"; see "ecclesiastical," etc.). The designation traditionally used for a specifically Christian assembly or body of people, and thus also the building or location in which the assembled people meet, and by extension also the specific organized sub-group within Christianity (e.g. *Catholic, *Protestant, Methodist, etc.). Similar to *synagogue and *kahal in Judaism. See also *mosque.church (Greek <g>ekklesia</>, "summoned group"; see "ecclesiastical," etc.). The designation traditionally used for a specifically Christian assembly or body of people, and thus also the building or location in which the assembled people meet, and by extension also the specific organized sub-group within Christianity (e.g. *Catholic, *Protestant, Methodist, etc.). Similar to *synagogue and *kahal in Judaism. See also *mosque.church (Greek <g>ekklesia</>, "summoned group"; see "ecclesiastical," etc.). The designation traditionally used for a specifically Christian assembly or body of people, and thus also the building or location in which the assembled people meet, and by extension also the specific organized sub-group within Christianity (e.g. *Catholic, *Protestant, Methodist, etc.). Similar to *synagogue and *kahal in Judaism. See also *mosque.church (Greek <g>ekklesia</>, "summoned group"; see "ecclesiastical," etc.). The designation traditionally used for a specifically Christian assembly or body of people, and thus also the building or location in which the assembled people meet, and by extension also the specific organized sub-group within Christianity (e.g. *Catholic, *Protestant, Methodist, etc.). Similar to *synagogue and *kahal in Judaism. See also *mosque.
circumcision. The minor surgical removal of the skin covering the tip of the penis. In Judaism, it is ritually performed when a boy is eight days old in a ceremony called <h>brit milah</>, which indicates that the ritual establishes a *covenant between God and the individual. In Islam, it is performed at the age of puberty.circumcision. The minor surgical removal of the skin covering the tip of the penis. In Judaism, it is ritually performed when a boy is eight days old in a ceremony called <h>brit milah</>, which indicates that the ritual establishes a *covenant between God and the individual. In Islam, it is performed at the age of puberty.
classical Judaism, Christianity. The forms of the religions that have survived as traditional throughout the centuries. See *rabbinic, *orthodox.classical Judaism, Christianity. The forms of the religions that have survived as traditional throughout the centuries. See *rabbinic, *orthodox.
clergy. The body of ordained men (and in some churches women) in a *church, permitted to perform the *priestly and/or pastoral duties, as distinct from the *laity to whom they minister.clergy. The body of ordained men (and in some churches women) in a *church, permitted to perform the *priestly and/or pastoral duties, as distinct from the *laity to whom they minister.clergy. The body of ordained men (and in some churches women) in a *church, permitted to perform the *priestly and/or pastoral duties, as distinct from the *laity to whom they minister.clergy. The body of ordained men (and in some churches women) in a *church, permitted to perform the *priestly and/or pastoral duties, as distinct from the *laity to whom they minister.