Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Pancras ST. (Ital. San Pancrazio; Fr. St. Pancrace), a noted Italian ecclesiastic who suffered martyrdom for the Christian cause, flourished near the opening of the 4th century. When only a boy of fourteen he boldly offered himself as a martyr, and most valiantly defended the Christian faith before the emperor Diocletian, who punished Pancras’s audacity … Continue reading “Pancras”

Pancotto, Pietro an Italian painter, educated in the school of the Caracci, flourished about 1590. According to Malaysia, he was an eccentric genius. His principal work is a grand fresco representing The Last Judgment, in the church of the Madonna di S. Colombano at Bologna. In it he revenged himself on the parish priest by … Continue reading “Pancotto, Pietro”

Panchatantra (literally, the five books) is the name of the celebrated Sanscrit fable-book of the Hinds whence the Hitopadesa was compiled and enlarged. Its authorship is ascribed to a Brahmin of the name of Vishnusarman, who, as its introduction in a later recension relates, had undertaken to instruct, within six months, the unruly sons of … Continue reading “Panchatantra”

Pancarea is the name given to a representation of the six general councils painted on the walls of St. Peter’s at Rome in the 8th century. Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Panathenaea the most famous of all the Attican festivals celebrated in Athens in honor of Athene (Minerva) Polias, the guardian of the city. At first it was called Athenaea, being limited in its observance to the inhabitants of Athens, but when it was extended to all Attica, in the reign of Theseus, who combined the … Continue reading “Panathenaea”

Panama Republic in Central America. Missionaries were brought there by the Spanish explorers and conquerors in the 16th century. The Diocese of Panama was erected early in that century, and was at first suffragan to Lima. Under Spanish rule, Panama became a department of the Republic of Colombia until 1903, when independence was declared. Ecclesiastically … Continue reading “Panama”

Panagia (Gr. all holy) is a name for the bread cut crosswise and distributed to Greek monks in the refectory after every meal. Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Panaetius Of Rhodes a celebrated ancient philosopher, the principal propagator of stoicism (q.v.) at Rome, was a native of Rhodes, and was born about 180 B.C. He studied at Athens under Diogenes the Stoic, went to Rome about 140 B.C., and there gave lessons in philosophy. He became intimately associated with Scipio AEmilianus, the younger … Continue reading “Panaetius Of Rhodes”

Panaetius (180-110 B.C.) A prominent Stoic philosopher whose thought was influenced by the Skeptics; in his attempt to adapt Stoicism to practical needs of life, he abandoned some of the more speculative notions current among his predecessors. Influenced Cicero and Augustine. — R.B.W. Fuente: The Dictionary of Philosophy

Panachaea the goddess of all the Achaeans, a sur name of Demeter, and also of Athene. Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature