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Fathers of the Church

(Encyclopedia)Fathers of the Church, collective name for the Christian writers of early times whose work is considered generally orthodox. A convenient definition includes all such writers up to and including St. G...

Four Forest Cantons, the

(Encyclopedia)Four Forest Cantons, the, Ger. Die Vier Waldstätten, in central Switzerland, the cantons of Unterwalden, Schwyz, Uri, and Lucerne, the first Swiss communities to win their freedom against the Hapsbur...

Isles of the Blest

(Encyclopedia)Isles of the Blest: see Fortunate Isles. ...

Israel, in the Bible

(Encyclopedia)Israel ĭzˈrēəl, ĭzˈrāəl [key] [as understood by Hebrews,=he strives with God], according to the book of Genesis, name given to Jacob as eponymous ancestor of the Hebrews, the chosen people of ...

Ira, in the Bible

(Encyclopedia)Ira īˈrə [key], in the Bible. 1 Chief officer of David. 2, 3 Two of David's guard. ...

Imitation of Christ, The

(Encyclopedia)Imitation of Christ, The, Christian devotional book, of great popularity. It originated among the Brothers of the Common Life in the Netherlands and was written probably c.1425. Tradition (since c.144...

Antipater, in the Bible

(Encyclopedia)Antipater, in the New Testament: see Herod. ...

Annunciation of the Virgin

(Encyclopedia)Annunciation of the Virgin: see Mary. ...

anointing of the sick

(Encyclopedia)anointing of the sick, sacrament of the Orthodox Eastern Church and the Roman Catholic Church, formerly known as extreme unction. In it a sick or dying person is anointed on eyes, ears, nostrils, lips...

Harsha, in the Bible

(Encyclopedia)Harsha härˈshə [key], in the Bible, family that returned from the Exile. ...