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St. Augustine of Hippo

Augustine of Hippo (detail), (354-430 CE) in his distinctive regalia of his office, - the pectoral cross, a ring, the mitre, and a crozier.

The pectoral cross is worn on the chest, near the heart. In the earliest times, the pectoral cross might have contained a holy relic. Bishops also wear a ring. The ring, like a wedding band, symbolizes that the bishop is "wedded" to his diocese. Also, the ring would be used, at least in days long ago, to make the imprint of the bishop's seal in the hot wax to authenticate documents. The mitre is his hat. In the Old Testament, the High Priest and other priests wore a distinctive garb which included a mitre. This miter has John the Baptist front and center and the style is distinctive to the western church. The crozier, or pastoral staff symbolizes the role of bishop as the Good Shepherd. His cape is highly decorated with scenes from the life of Jesus.

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Associated with a deity; exhibiting religious importance; set apart from ordinary (i.e. "profane") things.

Also called the Hebrew Bible, those parts of the canon that are common to both Jews and Christians. The designation "Old Testament" places this part of the canon in relation to the New Testament, the part of the Bible canonical only to Christians. Because the term "Old Testament" assumes a distinctly Christian perspective, many scholars prefer to use the more neutral "Hebrew Bible," which derives from the fact that the texts of this part of the canon are written almost entirely in Hebrew.

Relating to spiritual guidance or oversight of a church community.

A corporal or personal fragment of a holy person or saint, especially revered in medieval times and associated with miraculous powers.