| A.D. |
A.D. is an abbreviation of the Latin words "anno domini." The abbreviation A.D. is used in dates when people are talking about things in history that happened after Jesus Christ was born. The year that Jesus Christ was born is called "1 A.D." The year after that is called "2 A.D." Jesus Christ is considered both God and man in the religion of Christianity, and he is an important figure in the history of the world. The calendar that most people use nowadays was created by Christians. That's why the year of Christ's birth was chosen as a way to divide older times from newer times. This calendar is not the first or only calendar that people in the world have created, but most people nowadays use this particular calendar. Instead of "A.D.," though, people often use "C.E." nowadays, which stands for "Common Era" or "Christian Era." |
| baptism |
a Christian ceremony in which an infant, or older person who wishes to join the church, is sprinkled with water or dipped in water. |
| baptize |
to perform the Christian ceremony of dipping in or sprinkling with water as a symbol of becoming a member of the church. [2 definitions] |
| Bible |
The Bible is a holy book for people of two religions. The first part of the Bible contains sacred texts for Jewish people, and the whole Bible, including the first part, contains sacred texts for Christian people. |
| bishop |
a priest or minister who holds a high position in certain Christian churches. A bishop is often in charge of a group of churches. In the Catholic Church, a bishop's rank is above a priest but below an archbishop and a cardinal. [1/2 definitions] |
| catholic |
If something is Catholic, it has to do with the Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church is an organization of Christian priests and believers that has its center in Italy, in a special area within the city of Rome. The head of the Roman Catholic Church is called the "Pope." Catholic people all over the world see the Pope as their religious leader. [1/2 definitions] |
| C.E. |
"C.E." is an abbreviation of the words "Common Era "or "Christian Era." It is used in dates when people are talking about things in history that happened after Jesus Christ was born. The year that Jesus Christ was born is called "1 C.E." The year after that is called "2 C.E." Jesus Christ is considered both God and man in the religion of Christianity, and he is an important figure in the history of the world. The calendar that most people use nowadays was created by Christians. That's why the year of Christ's birth was chosen as a way to divide older times from newer times. This calendar is not the first or only calendar that people in the world have created, but most people nowadays use this particular calendar. "A.D." is an older abbreviation" that gives the same meaning as "C.E." |
| century |
one of the hundred-year periods into which human history is divided. Centuries are usually counted forward or backward from the beginning of the Christian era. [1/2 definitions] |
| Christian |
a member of a Christian church. [1/4 definitions] |
| Christianity |
the Christian religion, including its many separate branches. [1/2 definitions] |
| Christmas |
December 25, a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. [1/2 definitions] |
| church |
a building used for public Christian religious services. [3 definitions] |
| clergyman |
A clergyman is a male religious leader, especially a Christian priest or minister. |
| commandment |
in the Jewish or Christian Bible, one of the Ten Commandments or laws given to Moses by God. [1/2 definitions] |
| communion |
(capitalized) the part of a Christian service that honors the last supper of Jesus and his apostles. [1/2 definitions] |
| cross |
A cross is a thing in the shape of a cross, especially something used as a symbol for the Christian religion. [1/7 definitions] |
| deacon |
a clergyman in certain Christian churches. [2 definitions] |
| devil |
In the Christian religion, the devil is the chief spirit of evil. The devil is the enemy of God. [1/2 definitions] |
| Easter |
a Christian holiday to celebrate that Jesus Christ returned to life after he died. Easter is held every spring on the Sunday after the first full moon between March 21 and April 25. |
| Eastern Orthodox Church |
the modern group of Christian churches, such as the Russian and Greek Orthodox, that originated in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. |
| Good Friday |
a Christian holiday on the Friday before Easter Sunday that marks the death of Jesus Christ. |