(M. L., abthania, abbacy), Term referring to territories of churches and monasteries founded by Celtic monks, chiefly between the mountain chain of the Mounth and the Firth of Forth. Many of them passed into the hands of laymen, who paid tribute to the Church for them.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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