Libelli Pcenitentiales (certificates ofpenitence), documents frequently issued during and after the 8th century by the Romish priesthood, granting immediate absolution to those who confessed their sins to the priest, and declared themselves ready to fulfil the appointed penance, even though they were not prepared to partake of the communion. Great opposition was made to this … Continue reading “Libelli Pcenitentiales”
Libelli Pacis Or Letters Of Peace
Libelli Pacis Or Letters Of Peace In Egypt and Africa many of those who had fallen away in time of persecution, in order the more readily to obtain pardon for their offenses, resorted to the intercession of persons destined to suffer martyrdom by securing from them libelli pacis, letters of peace; papers in which these … Continue reading “Libelli Pacis Or Letters Of Peace”
Libellatici, Libelli
Libellatici, Libelli The libelli were certificates issued to Christians of the third century. They were of two kinds: certificates of conformity, to attest that the holders had conformed to the religious tests required by the edict of Decius; certificates of indulgence, in which the confessors or martyrs interceded for the lapsi (i. e. those who … Continue reading “Libellatici, Libelli”
Libellatici
libellatici (Latin: labi, lapsus, to slip) Term applied in the third century to Christians who relapsed into heathenism by sacrificing to the heathen gods or by other external acts of apostasy. The lapsi were divided into three classes: sacrificati, those who had actually offered a sacrifice to idols thurificati, those who had burnt incense on … Continue reading “Libellatici”
Libel
Libel (Lat. libellus, a little book) A malicious publication by writing, printing, picture, effigy, sign, or otherwise than by mere speech, which exposes any living person, or the memory of any person deceased, to hatred, contempt, ridicule, or obloquy, or which causes or tends to cause any person to be ashamed or avoided, or which … Continue reading “Libel”
Libation
LIBATION The act of pouring wine on the ground in divine worship. Sometimes other liquids have been used, as oil, milk, water, honey, but mostly wine. Amongst the Greeks and Romans it was an essential part of solemn sacrifices. Libations were also in use among the Hebrews, who poured a hin of wine on the … Continue reading “Libation”
Libanus
Libanus (Semitic root, laban) Mountain, Syria, so called from the snow which covers the highest peaks during almost the entire year, or from the limestone which glistens white in the distance. It is the center of the great mountain range of central Syria, which is about 95 miles long, and consists of two parallel mountain … Continue reading “Libanus”
Libanomancy
Libanomancy (from , the frankincense tree, and , divination), a species of divination (q.v.) which was performed by throwing a quantity of frankincense into the fire, and noting the odor which it emitted. If it burned quickly and gave out an agreeable smell, the omen was favorable; but if the reverse took place, it was … Continue reading “Libanomancy”
Libanius
Libanius a celebrated sophist of the 4th century, noted as a friend of the emperor Julian, was born about A.D. 314 at Antioch, where he studied in early youth, devoting his attention to the purest classic models. After a stay of four years at Athens, where he attracted much attention, he pursued his studies at … Continue reading “Libanius”
Libamen
Libamen a name given by the ancient Romans to denote the bunch of hair which was cut from the forehead of the victim about to be sacrificed, and which was thrown into the fire as a kind of first-fruits. Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature