Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Semiarians and Semiarianism A name frequently given to the conservative majority in the East in the fourth century as opposed to the strict Arians. More accurately it is reserved (as by St. Epiphanius, “Hær” lxxiii) for the party of reaction headed by Basil of Ancyra in 358. The greater number of the Eastern bishops, who … Continue reading “Semiarians and Semiarianism”

Semi Universalists an appellation given by Mosheim to those Dutch divines of the Reformed Church in the 17th century who maintained that God indeed wishes to make all men happy, but only on the condition of their believing; and that this faith originates from the sovereign and irresistible operation of God, or from the free, … Continue reading “Semi Universalists”

Semi separatists a name given to certain persons in the 17th century who would listen to the sermons of the Church of England clergymen, but not to the common prayer. They would remain outside of the churches until the prayers were done, and then rush in and hear the sermon. See Pagitt, Heresiography (ed. 1662), … Continue reading “Semi separatists”

SEMI-PELAGIANS A name anciently, and even at this day, given to such as retain some tincture of Pelagianism. Cassian, who had been a deacon of Constantinople, who was afterwards a priest at Marceilles, was the chief of these Semi-Pelagians, whose leading principles were, 1. That God did not dispense his grace to one more than … Continue reading “SEMI-PELAGIANS”

Semi Pelagianism the name invented by the schoolmen to mark the middle line of opinion held by the Pelagians (q.v.), on one side, and the predestinarian theory of Augustine, on the other. As early as A.D. 426 the monks of Adrumetum, in Byzacene Africa, having read Augustine’s letter to Sixtus (Ep. 194), were astounded at … Continue reading “Semi-Pelagianism”

Semi Judaizers (1.) a Socinian sect, originated in the 6th century by Francis David, a Hungarian, who was superintendent of the Socinian churches in Transylvania. The principal doctrine which David and his followers maintained was that neither prayer nor any other act of religious worship should be offered to Jesus Christ. Faustus Socinus argued strongly … Continue reading “Semi Judaizers”

Semi jejunia (half fasts), a name given to the weekly fasts in the ancient Christian Church, because the services of the Church continued on these days no longer than till three o’clock in the afternoon, whereas a perfect and complete fast was never reckoned to end before evening. These half fasts were also called Stations … Continue reading “Semi jejunia”

Semi frater a layman or a secular cleric who, having benefited a religious house by gifts or personal service, was regarded as in some way belonging to the order or fraternity, having a share in its prayers during life, and in mortuary masses after death. Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

semi-double feast A feast of less importance than a “double” feast. It is so called because the antiphon before each psalm in the Sacred Office is not read in full, and thus is only “half-doubled” for that psalm. Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary

Semi double an inferior or secondary ecclesiastical festival, ranking next above a simple feast or bare commemoration. Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature