Glossary
Paraclete (Sometimes spelled “Paraklete”): Greek for advocate, counselor,
or comforter. Jesus used the term in the Gospel of John to refer to the
Holy Spirit.parousia: Greek term meaning “presence” or “arrival,” which is used in the
New Testament to refer especially to the presence of Christ at his Second
Coming, when the exalted Christ returns to establish the kingdom of God
on earth.passion: In ancient thought, this means a form of passivity (since “passion”
is related to passivity as “action” is related to activity) associated both with
emotion (that is, being moved by passions) and suffering (for example, the
“passion of Christ” means his suffering). All ancient writers assume that
passion is at best a form of weakness, at worst a form of irresponsibility or
vice. For it is better to act than to be acted on, to move than to be moved,
to form than to be formed, and so on. Ancient moralism focused as intently
on the problem of passion as modern moralism focuses on the problem of
sel¿ shness. (See impassibility.)Patripassionism: From a Latin phrase, “the father suffers,”which claims the
God the Father suffered. But orthodox maintains the inviolability of God by
asserting that it is the incarnate word of God (the Son) who is cruci¿ ed and
suffers, not God the Father. (See Deipassionism and theopaschite formula.)patristic: Having to do with the church fathers (from the Greek word
pater, “father”).Pelagianism: The view ascribed to Pelagius and rejected as heretical that
believers are capable of overcoming sin and living meritorious lives without
the inner help of grace.penance: An old word for “repentance,” often used speci¿ cally to designate
the sacrament of Penance or Confession, in which a penitent confesses sins
to a priest and receives absolution.penitent: A person engaged in repentance, especially by participating in the
sacrament of Penance and confessing his or her sins.