Glossary
Cappadocians: Collective term for 4th century Greek speaking Christian
theologians from Cappadocia in ancient Asia (modern Turkey), including
Basil of Caesarea, his brother Gregory of Nyssa, sister Macrina, and friend
Gregory Naziansen, who were important in the development of ascetic
practice in the East as well as the Nicene doctrine of the Trinity. The
Cappadocians came to the fore in the generation after Athanaisus, and their
theology had a predominant inÀ uence on the Council of Constantinople 381.catechesis: (See catechumens.)catechumens: In the ancient church, people undergoing catechesis (Greek
for “instruction” and the root of the modern term “catechism”) in preparation
for baptism. By the 4th century this was an of¿ cial designation for a kind of
half membership in the church, which could last for years if people wished
to delay baptism, which they frequently did.cathedra: A Latin term taken from a Greek word for “chair,” used in
theology to refer to the seat of a bishop’s authority. (Hence a cathedral
church is the home church of a bishop.) In Roman Catholic theology, the
pope is infallible when he de¿ nes doctrine ex cathedra, which means “from
the chair” of Peter, that is, by exercising his unique authority as the successor
of the apostle Peter. (See pope.)catholic: From a Greek word meaning “universal,” this term originally
referred to beliefs and practices that were accepted by all churches worldwide
and was used in effect as a synonym for “orthodox.” In this sense the Eastern
Orthodox and Protestant churches join Roman Catholics in believing in one
holy Catholic church.character: A Latin word meaning roughly “indelible mark” (such as a
tattoo). In Roman Catholic sacramental theology, this is a technical term
for an indelible mark on the soul. The sacraments of Baptism, Con¿ rmation
and Holy Orders each imprint their own distinctive sacramental character on
the soul.