Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Melito, Saint Bishop of Sardis, prominent ecclesiastical writer in the latter half of the second century. Few details of his life are known. A letter of Polyerates of Ephesus to Pope Victor about 194 (Eusebius, “Hist. Eccl.”, V, xxiv) states that “Melito the eunuch [this is interpreted “the virgin” by Rufinus in his translation of … Continue reading “Melito, Saint”

Melito Of Sardis bishop of the place after which he is named, and a writer of considerable eminence, flourished in the .2d century. So little is known of his personal history that it cannot be determined at what date he was elevated to the episcopacy, though he probably held the bishopric when the controversy arose … Continue reading “Melito Of Sardis”

Melito Melito, bp. of Sardis, held in the middle of the 2nd cent. a foremost place among the bishops of Asia as regards personal influence and literary activity. Shortly before the end of that cent. his name is mentioned by Polycrates of Ephesus in his letter to Victor of Rome (Eus. H. E. v. 24.) … Continue reading “Melito”

Melitene The residence of an Armenian Catholic see, also a titulary archbishopric. According to Pliny (Nat. Hist. VI, 3), the city was founded by Queen Semiramis at a little distance from the Euphrates; the earliest mention of it is found in Tacitus (Annal., XV, 26). A Roman camp was there under Nero, and Trajan made … Continue reading “Melitene”

MELITA The name Melita was anciently applied to two islands; one in the Adriatic Sea, on the coast of Illyricum, now called Meleda; the other in the Mediterranean, between Sicily and Africa, now called Malta. That the latter is the one on which Paul suffered shipwreck is evident both from the direction of the wind … Continue reading “Melita”

Melissus of Samos A Greek philosopher, of the Eleatic School, b. at Samos about 470 B.C. It is probable that he was a disciple of Parmenides, and that he is identical with the Melissus who, according to Plutarch (Pericles, 26), commanded the Samian fleet which defeated the Athenians off the coast of Samos in 442. … Continue reading “Melissus Of Samos”

Melissus (c. 450 B.C.) Of Samos. He advanced a positive proof of the Eleatic doctrine of being as one and eternal, motionless and without change. The senses deceive us. He wrote in the Ionic dialect. — L.E.D. Fuente: The Dictionary of Philosophy

Meliorism (Latin: melior, better) A philosophic theory which holds that though things in the world are bad they can be improved, and that man can find some satisfiaction in laboring to increase the happiness of his fellow men. This theory occupies an intermediate position between the extreme Optimism of Leibnitz and the extreme Pessimism of … Continue reading “Meliorism”

Melicu (-Hebrews marg. Meliku’, , text Meloki’, ; Sept. v. r. , ulg. Milicho; Neh 12:14). SEE MALLUCH. Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature Melicu meli-ku (, melkhu, also , melukh, regnant): Same as MALLUCHI (which see). Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Melicu [Meli’cu] Priest mentioned in Neh 12:14. Apparently the same as … Continue reading “Melicu”

Melia, Pius Italian theologian, b. at Rome, 12 Jan., 1800; d. in London, June 1883. He entered the Society of Jesus on 14 Aug., 1815, taught literature at Reggio, and afterwards was engaged in preaching. He left the Society in 1853. He wrote two books: “Alcune ragioni del P. Pio Melia della C. di G.” … Continue reading “Melia, Pius”