Early Christian Rituals and Key Concepts

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering terms, figures, and practices in early Christianity and Judaic tradition from the lecture notes.

Immersion

The act of submerging a person in water as part of a baptismal ritual.

Infusion

The practice of pouring water over a person during a baptism instead of full immersion.

Kingdom of God

A central theme in Christianity referring to the reign of God over the hearts of believers and the fulfillment of His will on Earth.

Ritualizing

The process of establishing practices and ceremonies that give meaning and structure to worship.

Sacrament

A religious ceremony or act regarded as an outward and visible sign of inward spiritual reality, such as baptism or Eucharist.

Singularizing

Offering them as rare or momentous events

Situating

The act of placing rituals or practices within a specific context or setting.

Stational Eucharist

Non-meal gatherings with a simple distribution of communion

Stibadium

A type of couch used in ancient dining settings, often associated with communal meals in early Christian gatherings. Crescent shaped.

Stylizing

The act of applying a specific style or form to a ritual or practice, often to enhance its significance.

Torah

The central reference of the religious Judaic tradition, consisting of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

Traditionalizing

Claiming they originated a long time ago

Triclinium

An ancient Roman dining room with three couches arranged around a table, often used for communal meals.

Agape

A term used to describe selfless, unconditional love, often associated with the love of God for humanity.

Catechesis

The process of religious instruction and formation in the Christian faith, often aimed at preparing individuals for baptism.

Chrismation

A sacrament in some Christian traditions that involves anointing with chrism (holy oil) after baptism.

Clericalizing

Making them performed only by specially qualified persons

Confirmation

A Christian sacrament that strengthens and confirms a person's faith, often following baptism.

Deipnon

A term referring to the evening meal, often associated with early Christian communal meals.

Didache

An early Christian text that provides instructions on Christian ethics, rituals, and church organization.

Dura Europas

An ancient city known for its well-preserved Christian church and artifacts, providing insight into early Christian worship.

Elevating

Assigning them sacred meaning rather than other cultural ones

Euergetism

The practice of wealthy individuals donating to public works or religious institutions, often seen in early Christian contexts.

Priene Synagogue

Jewish house that was converted into a synagogue; religious communities making their homes into places of worship.

Repeating

Increasing the frequency of an act so that they become integral to identity

Ritual

A set of actions performed in a prescribed order, often for religious or ceremonial purposes.

Elijah

A prophet in the Hebrew Bible known for his confrontation with the prophets of Baal and his ascension to heaven.

John the Baptist

A significant figure in Christianity known for baptizing Jesus and preaching repentance.

Jesus

The central figure of Christianity, believed by Christians to be the Son of God and the Messiah.

Paul

An apostle who played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity and authored many New Testament letters - First source of the Eucharist.

Tertullian

An early Christian author and theologian known for his writings on the Trinity and Christian doctrine.

Constantine

The Roman Emperor who legalized Christianity and convened the First Council of Nicaea.

Messiah

Anointed one

Mikveh

A specialized ritual bath used in Judaism for immersion to achieve spiritual purification and renewal

Paedobaptism

infant baptism

Pagan

A follower of a polytheistic religion in ancient times.

prescribing

Becoming specific and inflexible with how they are performed

Eucharist

A central Christian ritual and sacrament that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples