Chapter Two Church History

Ms. Gretzinger

Apologists

christian writers who defended the church against anti-christian writings or heresies through the use of the reason and intellectual defenses.

catechumens

people whp are undergoing a period of study and spiritual prepartaion before receiving the sacranent of baptism.

church fathers

those men from the first through eighth centuries AD who where given the title based on their monumental contributions to the church, especially their extensive teaching and writing about the faith in order to help it grow, expand, and develop.

dieties

higher being or gods based on the belief system of a particular religion

feast day

the day on the liturgical calendar commemorating a saints entry into heaven.

fortitude

the courage that christians are called to embrace and rely on in order to evangelize and live their faith openly; also, one of the four cardinal virtues.

heresies

incorrect and otherwise errant teachings or understandings about certain doctrinal matters or dogmas

liturgical year

cycle of the liturgical seasons of advent, ordinary time, lent, triduum, and easter.

martyr

those who are kiled for their faith. Greek work “martyr” means “witness”

pagan

a person who is not a member of the church or one of the major world religions.

relic

the physical remains or personal effects of a saint that are approved by the church for veneration.

schism

a break in christian unity that takes place when a group of christians separates itself from the church.