Graal, The Holy a name in mediaeval tradition for the precious dish (paropsis) or cup used at the Last Supper, said, also to be the vessel in which our Lord turned water into wine, and in which Nicodemus or Joseph of Arimathaea received the Savior's blood at the crucifixion. Other legends describe it as a cup originally given to Solomon by the queen of Sheba. It often appears in the Arthurian laws, and probably, arose from a Druidic origin. The Genoese claim to have it in the cathedral treasury, where it is known as Sacro Catino. It is of glass, of hexagonal form, with two handles, and is three feet nine inches in circumference. It was cracked in its removal from Paris, whither it had been taken under Napoleon. Sometimes the graal supports a bleeding spear, as on a crucifix at Sancreed Church, Cornwall. The Church is often represented holding a pennon and a graal opposite the synagogue with drooping head, and a banner of three points, the staff broken.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More