Men elected by the original Christian community at Jerusalem and ordained by the Apostles, their office being chiefly to look after the poor, as the number of believers among the Grecian Jews had rapidly increased and their widows and children were being neglected. The Apostles did not wish to be drawn away from preaching, and thus transferred these material duties to suitable men. They were Saint Stephen the Martyr, Saint Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (Acts 6).
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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