Sabanus (σἀβανος, classical σάβανον, a linen cloth), a white cloth with which the infant was covered in baptism. This was an ancient practice. From the 4th century we find frequent mention of clothing the newly baptized in white garments. These garments, as emblems of purity, were delivered to them with a solemn charge to keep their robes of innocence unspotted till the day of Christ. The neophytes wore this dress from Easter eve until the Sunday after Easter, which was hence called Dominica in albis, that is, "the Sunday in white." This garment was usually made of white linen, but sometimes of more costly materials. SEE ALB; SEE CHRISOME.
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