Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

O.R.S.A. = Augustinian Recollects Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary

Orrente, Pedro a Spanish painter, was born at Montealegre, in Murcia, in 1560. It is not known under whom he studied in his own country. Afterwards he went to Italy, and became the pupil of Giacomo da Ponte (Bassano), whose manner of coloring he adopted, though his own style of coloring and design was very … Continue reading “Orrente, Pedro”

Orr, Robert a Presbyterian minister, who flourished in this country during the colonial period, was either a native of Scotland or Ireland, probably of the latter country. He came to America in 1715, and accepted in that year a call to Maidenhead and Hopewell, and thus became a member of the first American presbytery (organized … Continue reading “Orr, Robert”

Orr, James M a Presbyterian minister, was born near Fairhaven, Preble County, Ohio, March 31, 1838. He was educated at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; studied theology in the Alleghany Seminary, Pa.; was licensed by the Ohio First Presbytery, April 1, 1862; and ordained by the Argyle Presbytery, March 10, 1864. as the pastor of East … Continue reading “Orr, James M”

Orphrey (Aurum Phrygmatum, gold or Phrygia), the name of an ornamental border of a cope or alb, because it is an imitation of the famous Phrygian embroidery. England was famous for this work, and M. Paris relates that the pope, struck with its beauty, directed the Cistercian abbots to buy up all the specimens they … Continue reading “Orphrey”

Orphic Mysteries a class of mystical ceremonies performed at a very early period in the history of Greece. The followers of Orpheus (q.v.) devoted themselves to the worship of Dionysus, not, however, by practicing the licentious rites which usually characterized the Dionysia or Bacchanalia, but by the maintenance of a pure and austere mode of … Continue reading “Orphic Mysteries”

Orphic Literature The mystic writings, extant only in fragments, of a Greek religious-philosophical movement of the 6th century B.C., allegedly started by the mythical Orpheus. In their mysteries, in which mythology and rational thinking mingled, the Orphics concerned themselves with cosmogony, theogony, man’s original creation and his destiny after death which they sought to influence … Continue reading “Orphic Literature”

Orpheus (supposed to be the Vedic Ribhu or Arbhu, an epithet both of Indra and the sun), a semi-mythic name of frequent occurrence in ancient Greek lore. The early legends call him a son of Apollo and the muse Calliope, or of Oleagrus and Clio, or Polymnia. His native country is Thrace, where many different … Continue reading “Orpheus”

Orpheotelists a set of mystagogues in the early ages of ancient Greece, who were wont to appear at the doors of the wealthy, and promise to release them from their own sins and those of their fore-fathers by sacrifices and expiatory songs; and they produced on such occasions a collection of books of Orpheus and … Continue reading “Orpheotelists”

Orphans and Orphanages The death of one or both parents makes the child of the very poor a ward of the community. The obligation of support is imposed upon parents or grandparents by nearly every system of laws; but there is no such obligation upon any other relative. Natural sympathy, however, and willingness to bear … Continue reading “Orphans and Orphanages”