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devotions (used in shrines). 5. A candle symbolizes the coming of Christ in Communion. 6. A candle lit on Easter, called the Paschal candle, signifies that Jesus has risen again.
CANTICLE – This is a song (hymn) that is taken directly from the Bible for use in worship. It is taken from the Latin word canticum meaning “song”.
CASSOCK – The cassock is a long garment worn by a clergyman. The cassock’s color distinguishes the rank of the clergy. If the cassock is black, he is a priest; if purple, he is a bishop; if red, he is a cardinal; and if white, he is the pope.
CATECHUMEN – A catechumen is a person who wishes to become a member of a church and is required, in some traditions, to undergo rigid study of the Scripture and the doctrines of the church. In the early church, the process took up to two years to complete. During that time the catechumen received intellectual and moral training from catechists (teachers). Such stringent procedure was necessary because the danger of apostasy (falling from the faith) was very high. This was especially true during the formation of the early church. It was also a caution to prevent the accepting of some into the church fellowship who might turn around and betray the church and its members to the authorities.
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Catechumen were allowed to attend church worship services but had to leave the assembly before the administering of Communion.
The rigorous procedure would be lessened once Christianity became a legal religion under Emperor Constantine. The first reason for the change was the growing number of children being raised in the church. They were learning the doctrines of the church from birth making the catechetical process less necessary. The second reason was the lessening of persecution. The church elders did not have to worry about weeding out weaker members who might turn them in.
CATHEDRAL – This word is derived from the Greek word “cathedra” meaning “a seat”. A cathedral is a church were the ruling bishop resides. It is from this cathedral that the bishop oversees his diocese. A church being labeled a cathedral has everything to do with the location of the bishop, and nothing to do with the size of the church. Both large and small churches alike may bear the name cathedral. However, the importance of the bishop often led to the construction of magnificent churches, leading to the erroneous conclusion that all cathedrals are grand churches.
CATHOLIC – This word of Greek origin means “universal”. During the early development of the church, the word was used to refer to the entire Apostolic church. Every believer in Jesus Christ was a member of the catholic church. In 1054, the church |
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