Church History and Religious Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering essential Catholic religious terms, historical events, figures, and theological concepts from the provided notes.

Body of Christ

The visible body of baptised people drawn together by the Holy Spirit to form the Church

One

The characteristic of unity in charity and faith found in the Church

Holy

The characteristic of protection from corruption that comes from Jesus as head of the Church and the Holy Spirit.

Catholic

The characteristic of the Church as universal, meaning where Jesus is the Church is and the mission of the Church to the whole world.

Apostolic

The characteristic of the Church as founded on the Apostles and sharing in the gifts and mission first given to the Apostoles

Creed

A statement of beliefs. The Nicene Creed was formulated by the Council of Nicea in 325

Sacrament

A visible sign of the invisible presence and action (grace) of God. An efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life in dispensed to people. CCC 1131

Salvation

God's saving action on behalf of the human race that destroys the power of original sin and empowers people to overcome the effects of original sin.

Roman Empire

An empire established by Augustus in 27 BC and divided in AD 395 into the Western Roman Empire and the eastern or Byzantine Empire; at its peak lands in Europe and Africa and Asia were ruled by ancient Rome

Christendom

The reconstituted Western Roman Empire that gradually converted to Christianity beginning with Clovis in 5th Century

College of Cardinals

The body of cardinals who advise the Pope and elect new Popes

St Stephen

A deacon from the first century who was the first person to die for the Christian faith

St Paul

One of the greatest persecutors of the Christian faith who converted and became an early leader and wrote much of the New Testament.

Martyr

A person who dies for the Christian faith

Persecution

The systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another group on the grounds of religion

Constantine

4th Century Roman emperor who converted to Christianity and ended the persecution of the Church

Edict of Milan

A law passed by Constantine in 313AD allowing freedom of religion

Mission

A task of calling from God to the Church or to an individual

Ecumenical Council

Gatherings of bishops from around the known world under the presidency of the Pope to regulate matters of faith and morals and discipline.

Franciscan

A religious Order founded by St Francis in 1209 who seek to return to the life of the early Church by following the example of Jesus

Religious Order

A religious order is a community of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with their specific religious devotion, usually characterised by the principles of its founder.

Lay / Laity

Members of the Church that do not have the priestly responsibilities of ordained clergy

Dominicans

A religious order founded in Southern France in 1215 by St Dominic for the purpose of preaching and teaching the Gospel.

Schism

The formal separation of a church into two churches or the withdrawal of one group over doctrinal differences

Protestant

The movement of western Christians who separated from the Catholic Church in protest over corruption in the Church

Reformation

The division of European (western) Christianity into Catholic and Protestant

Council of Trent

An Ecumenical Council called by Pope Paul III held in the town of Trent in 16th Century to address the need to reform the Church.

Martin Luther

A 16th Century priest who protested against Church corruption by developing his own theology and the Lutheran Church

Ecumenism

The movement for Church unity through dialogue and cooperation

Second Vatican Council

An Ecumenical Council called by Pope John XXIII held between 1962-65 primarily concerned with how the Church engaged with the whole of the modern world.