Wreath, Ecclesiastical, is a circular garland of flowers intertwined; a chaplet; that which is interwoven or entwined. Such symbols were made use of to designate certain saints, and are found represented both in old MSS., stained glass, and on the lower panels of rood-screens. A wreath of flowers, sometimes designated a "marriage. crown," was often placed on the head of a virgin bride. Wreaths were also carried at funerals. One, of the 17th century, remains suspended in the south aisle of St. Alban's Abbey. And they were anciently, and are now not uncommonly, put upon graves and memorial crosses. SEE CORONA.
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