(Latin: orare, to speak)
A Divine communication given at a particular place through particularly appointed persons; also the place itself. This form of divination existed in Babylon and Assyria, among the Hebrews, and in Greece and Rome. The Delphic Oracle was perhaps the most famous and exercised the greatest and most balefui influence. Christianity alone could conquer these homes of revelation; Constantine stripped Delphi and Dodona, and under Theodosius the repression was completed.
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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