Charles François d'Abra de Raconis
Physical Effects of Abstinence
Acacius, Patriarch of Constantinople
Diocese of Ascoli, Satriano, and Cirignola
Acclamation (in Papal Elections)
The Ass (in Caricature of Christian Beliefs and Practices)
Assemblies of the French Clergy
Assistant at the Pontifical Throne
Right of Voluntary Association
Association of Priestly Perseverance
Little Sisters of the Assumption
Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Vicariate Apostolic of Athabasca
François Hédelin, Abbé d'Aubignac
Teaching of St. Augustine of Hippo
Works of St. Augustine of Hippo
Augustinians of the Assumption
Pierre du Bois, Baron d'Avaugour
John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, Baron Acton
Ad Apostolicae Dignitatis Apicem
Adam in Early Christian Liturgy and Literature
Administrator (of Ecclesiastical Property)
Advocates of Roman Congregations
Charles Constance César Joseph Matthieu d'Agoult
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa of Nettesheim
Michael and Nicetas Akominatos
Bl. Albert Berdini of Sarteano
Diocese of Alessandria della Paglia
Alpha and Omega (in Jewish Theology)
History of the Christian Altar
Fernando Alvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alva
Ambo (in the Russian and Greek Church)
Pre-Columbian Discovery of America
American Protective Association
Heinrich Bernhard, Freiherr von Andlaw
Bl. Angelo Carletti di Chivasso
Early Christian Representations of Angels
College and Church of the Anima (in Rome)
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Anselm of Lucca, the Younger
Antiphon (in the Greek Church)
Vicariate Apostolic of Antofogaste
Fray Domingo de la Anunciación
Apostolic Union of Secular Priests
Diocese of Aquino, Sora, and Pontecorvo
Prefecture Apostolic of Araucania
Commission of Sacred Archæology
Adam's importance to the Fathers and to the authors of the many apocryphal writings of the first five centuries of the Christian Era is clearly shown by their frequent allusions to him. His p]ace in the liturgy is however, by no means a prominent one. His name occurs in the calendar, and in one hymn of the Eastern Church, nor does he fare much better in the Western. The sections which refer to him are the first prophecy on Holy Saturday and the readings of the Book of Genesis at Septuagesima time. In literature, on the other hand, he is more generously treated, and has become the hero of several books, such as: The Book of the Penance or Combat of Adam (Migne, Dictionnaire des apocryphes, vol. II); The Struggle of Adam and Eve which they underwent after being driven out of the Garden, and during their stay in the cave of treasures, by the command of The Lord their Creator (Migne, op. cit.). The Codex Nazaraeus (ibid.); the Testament of Adam; the Apocalypse of Adam; the Book of the Daughters of Adam; the Penance of Adam, etc. also show to what an extent the memory of the first man was made use of in literature.
The Testament of Adam, now consisting of merely a few fragments, is of great interest. Its precise place in the history of literature can only be determined after a study of the connection which exists between it and writings of the same or of an earlier period. The liturgical fragments which have to do with the division of the hours of the day and night make it possible to perceive in what way Persian ideas influenced Gnosticism. Passages may be found in the Apostolical Constitutions of the Copts which seem to bear some relation to the ideas contained in the liturgical fragments. The following is a translation of one of them:
There is a long and important article on the Liber Adami by Sylvestre de Sacy in the Journal des Savants for 1819-20. The book condemns continence, and prescribes marriage; allows the eating of the flesh of animals, fish, and birds. The liturgical ritual provided for prayer three times a day: after sunrise, at the seventh hour, and at sunset. The Nazarenes are bound to almsgiving and to preaching, must baptize their children in the Jordan, and choose the first day of the week for the ceremony. H. LECLERCQ