Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Pilate PILATE, PONTIUS. Connected with the Pontian clan (gens), first remarkable in the person of Pontius Telesinus, the great Samnite general. Pilate is probably from pileus, “the cap of freedom,”which manumitted slaves received; Pilate being perhaps descended from a freedman. Sixth Roman procurator of Judaea, appointed in Tiberius’ 12th year (A.D. 25 or 26). The … Continue reading “Pilate”

pilaster (Latin: pilastrum, little pillar) An engaged pier projecting slightly from the wall, having a capital and base. First used in Roman architecture, it came into broader usage during the Renaissance period. Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary

Pilarik, Stephen a Hungarian ecclesiastic of some distinction, was born at Otschova in 1615. He was the son of a Protestant clergyman, and also devoted himself to the ministry, and his talent as a preacher soon got him a widespread reputation. In the year 1663, while travelling, he was captured by Tartars, who reduced him … Continue reading “Pilarik, Stephen”

Pilar, Nuestra Sentilde;ora del “Our Lady of the Pillar”, a celebrated church and shrine, at Saragossa, Spain, containing a miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin, which is the object of very special devotion throughout the kingdom. The image, which is placed on a marble pillar, whence the name of the church, was crowned in 1905 … Continue reading “Pilar, Nuestra Sentilde;ora del”

Pil(l)more (also spelled Pilmoor), Joseph, D.D an early Episcopal minister in America, was born at Tadmouth, Yorkshire, England, about 1734, and was educated at Kingswood, the school of John Wesley, under whom he had been previously converted. On completing his studies, Pilmore became a lay helper in the Methodist itinerant ministry, and labored’ in this … Continue reading “Pil(l)more (also spelled Pilmoor), Joseph, D.D”

Pikullos (Pikollos, or Potollos) was the destroying principle, the third person of the trinity among the Lithuanians, or ancient heathen Prussians, being the opposite of Potrimpos, the preserving principle. An image of this god stood at Romowe, in a hollow of the sacred oak-tree. He was represented as an old bearded man with pale face, … Continue reading “Pikullos (Pikollos, or Potollos)”

Piktas a virtue which denotes veneration for the Deity, and love and tenderness to our friends, and especially dutifulness to parents. It received divine honors among the Romans, and was made one of their gods. Acilius Glabrio first erected a temple to this new divinity, on the spot where a woman had fed with her … Continue reading “Piktas”

Pikollos a deity among the ancient Wends of Slavonia, who was believed to preside over the infernal regions and the realms of the dead. He was represented as an old man with a pale countenance, and having before him three death’s heads. He corresponded to Pluto of the ancient Romans, and to Siva of the … Continue reading “Pikollos”

Pike, William Martyr, born in Dorsetshire; died at Dorchester, dec., 1591. He was a joiner, and lived at West Moors, West Parley. On his way from Dorchester to his home, he fell in with the venerable martyr Thomas Pilchard, who converted him, probably in 1586. At his trial for being reconciled with the See of … Continue reading “Pike, William”

Pike, Samuel an English Dissenting minister, was born at Ramsey, Wiltshire, about 1717. He became minister of a congregation at Henley-on-Thames, and in 1747 succeeded John Hill at the Three Cranes, London. He died in 1773. Pike was quite a voluminous writer. Among his many productions we mention, Thoughts on such Passages of Scripture as … Continue reading “Pike, Samuel”