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Symposia (, banquets) is a word occasionally used by ecclesiastical writers to describe the ancient agape (q.v.). These symposia were held at the graves of the martyrs; and the festival was designed to be, not only a memorial of the deceased, but, according to Origen, an odor of a sweet smell in the sight of … Continue reading “Symposia”

Symploce; or, Intertwining The Repetition of different Words in successive Sentences in the same Order and the same Sense Sym-plo-kee, from (sun), together with, and (plokee), a folding. An intertwining of two different words in a similar order: one at the beginning and the other at the end of successive sentences. It is a combination … Continue reading “Symploce; or, Intertwining”

Symphosius of Metz (Fortunatus or Symphosius) Ninth-century liturgical writer, born Metz, Kingdom of the Franks. A pupil of Alcuin at Aix-la-Chapelle , he was bishop of Trier, 811 -813 , and later ambassador to Constantinople. He lived at a time when the liturgy was changing, when fusion of the Roman and Gallican uses was taking … Continue reading “Symphosius of Metz”

Symphorosa, Saint Martyred with her seven sons at Tibur (Tivoli) towards the end of the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117-138). The story of their martyrdom is told in an old Passio, the reliability of which is seriously questioned by many modern hagiologists. According to this Passio, Symphorosa was a lady living at Tibur, the widow … Continue reading “Symphorosa, Saint”

Symphorosa the Christian widow of a martyred tribune. Hadrian had built a temple at Tibur (Tivoli), and was about to dedicate it with religious ceremonies when he learned that Symphorosa was a zealous Christian. He caused her, with her seven sons, to be summoned, and sought by persuasion to induce her to offer sacrifices. On … Continue reading “Symphorosa”

Symphorianus, martyr Symphorianus (1), martyr, according to the MSS. of his Acts, under Aurelian, for which name Ruinart would substitute Aurelius, dating his passion c. 180. He was born in Autun, of noble parentage, and trained in Christianity from his childhood. Autun was devoted to the worship of Berecynthia; and the consular Heraclius, who governed … Continue reading “Symphorianus, martyr”

Symphorianus a Gallic martyr at Autun in the reign of Aurelian. He was cited before the praefect Heraclius because he had refused to honor the statue of Berecynthia, and rejected the influence of appeals and scourgings. His mother supported him with her exhortations to fidelity. He was beheaded without the town walls and buried in … Continue reading “Symphorianus”

Symphorian and Timotheus, Saints Martyrs whose feast is observed on 22 August. During the pontificate of Melchiades (311-13), St. Timotheus came from Antioch to Rome, where he preached for fifteen months and lived with Sylvester, who later became pope. The prefect of the city, Tarquinus Perpenna, threw him into prison, tortured, and finally beheaded him … Continue reading “Symphorian and Timotheus, Saints”

Symphony () originally signified the union of several voices in a chant, but by modern musicians it is applied to an instrumental composition, generally used as a kind of introductory movement to anthems and other pieces. Symphonies are introduced with good effect in the interval of the voices, and are called preludes when played before … Continue reading “Symphony”

SYMPERASMA, or CONGERIES SYMPERASMA, or CONGERIES [See Gnom. on 1Jn 5:7-8, T. ii. p. 569], is a comprehensive outline [or Conclusion] derived from the preceding declaration and demonstration; which comprises in a kind of brief summary the foregoing enunciations. For example,-Mat 1:17, , , …-Joh 20:30, .-Heb 11:39, , – – Joh 1:2, . See … Continue reading “SYMPERASMA, or CONGERIES”