Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

ostraka (Greek: ostrakon, an earthen vessel) Term applied to inscriptions, profane and ecclesiastical, on clay, wood, metal or other hard materials, which form a literary source for early Christianity. They are identified with oriental countries, particularly Egypt. The oldest extant ostrakon is Greek and dates from the 6th century. Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary

Ostracine Titular see and suffragan of Pelusium in Augustamnica prima. Pliny (Hist. naturalis, V, xiv) places the town sixty-five miles from Pelusium. Ptolemy (IV, v, 6) locates it in Cassiotis, between Mount Cassius and Rhinocolura. We learn from Josephus (“Bellum Jud.”, IV, xi, 5) that Vespasian stopped there with his army on the way from … Continue reading “Ostracine”

Ostraca ostra-ka: The word ostracon (potsherd, Hebrew heres) occurs in Job 2:8 (Septuagint), , ka elaben ostrakon, and he took him a potsherd. Earthen vessels were in universal use in antiquity (they are twice mentioned in the New Testament: , skeue ostrakina (2Co 4:7; 2Ti 2:20)), and the broken fragments of them, which could be … Continue reading “Ostraca”

O.S.T.R. = Oblates of Saint Therese Reformed Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary

Ostjakian Version SEE RUSSIA, VERSIONS OF. Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Ostiensis Surname of LEO MARSICANUS, Benedictine chronicler, b. about 1045; d. 22 May, 1115, 1116, or 1117. He belonged to an old noble family, and at the age of fourteen entered Monte Cassino, where his talents soon won him the regard of Abbot Desiderius, later Pope Victor III. Desiderius entrusted his education to the future … Continue reading “Ostiensis”

ostiarius (Latin: ostium, a door) The first of the minor orders, by which spiritual power is conferred on the recipient, of opening and closing the doors of the Church, and of guarding the Temple of God. Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary

Ostiarii (door-keepeirs), the lowest of the minor orders in the Western Church. They are spoken of by Church writers of the 3d or 4th century. The fourth Council of Carthage prescribed as the form for their admission to office the delivery of the church-key to them by the bishop, with the words: Behave thyself as … Continue reading “Ostiarii”

Ostia and Velletri SUBURBICARIAN DIOCESE OF OSTIA AND VELLETRI (OSTIENSIS ET VELITERNENSIS). Near Rome, central Italy. Ostia, now a small borough, was the ancient port of Rome, the first Roman colony founded by Ancus Marcius, chiefly to exploit the salt deposits. Prior to Imperial times, it had no harbour, the mouth of the Tiber affording … Continue reading “Ostia and Velletri”

Osterwald, Jean Frederic an eminent FrenchSwiss Reformed theologian, was born at Neuchatel, where his father was pastor, in 1663. In 1676 he went to Zurich to study under Prof. Ott, and in 1678 went to the University of Saumur, where he graduated in 1679. He then completed his studies at Orleans under the renowned Claude … Continue reading “Osterwald, Jean Frederic”