RELIGION. 157 



in which the priest uses the formula, " P^go te absolve a 

 peccatis tuis," I absolve thee from thy sins. 



Ab'stinence. — In the Roman Catholic Church, the refraining 

 from the use of certain kinds of food, such as meat, eggs, 

 milk, etc., which are forbidden to members of that church 

 on particular days. 



Ad'vent. — A season of devotion with reference to the coming 

 of Christ in the flesh, and his second coming to judge the 

 world. It includes four Sabbaths before Christmas, be- 

 ginning on Saint Andrew's day, or on the Sabbath next 

 before or after it. 



Anath'ema. — A curse or denunciation by ecclesiastical author- 

 ity, accompanying excommunication. 



Annuncia'tion. — A festival kept by the church to commem- 

 orate the tidings brought by the angel Gabriel to the 

 Virgin Mary of the incarnation of Christ ; called Lady 

 Day. 



Antiph'onary. — A service book in the Roman Catholic Church, 

 containing all the invitatories, responsories, collects, and 

 whatever is said or sung in the choir, except the lessons ; 

 called also a responsary. 



An'titype. — That of which the type is the prefiguration. 



Apoc'alypse. — The book of Revelation in the New Testament. 



Apoch'rypha. — Books not admitted into the canon of Scrip- 

 ture, being either spurious, or at least not acknowledged 

 as divine. 



Apologet'ics. — That branch of theology which defends the 

 Holy Scriptures, and sets forth the evidence of their 

 divine authority. 



Archiepis'copate. — The office of an archbishop. 



Article of Faith. — A point of Christian doctrine which we 

 are obliged to believe, as having been revealed by God 

 himself, and allowed and established as such by the 

 church. 



Ascension Day. — A festival observed in the Christian Church 

 on a Thursday, ten days before AVhitsuntide, in commem- 

 oration of Christ's ascent into heaven. 



Ash- Wednesday. — The first day in Lent, so called from the 

 ancient custom of fasting in sackcloth and ashes. 



Assump'tion. — A festival in the Roman Catliolic Church, kept 

 on the 15th of August, in honor of the alleged miraculous 

 ascent of the Virgin Mary into heaven. 

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