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Definition
Japanese Tea Ceremony
The Japanese Tea Ceremony (chanoyu or chado) is a cultural tradition involving very particular places, procedures, and equipment for drinking green tea. Originating as a habit of Chinese Buddhist monks to aid their meditation, tea-drinking...
Article
The Early Christianization of Armenia
The Christianization of Armenia began with the work of Syrian apostles from the 1st century CE and was boosted in the early 4th century CE by such figures as Saint Gregory the Illuminator, who converted the Armenian king and spread the gospel...
Video
Introduction to the History of Ancient Japan
The History of Ancient Japan dates back to the fifteenth century BCE, and spans thousands of years until the beginning of the Medieval period in Japan. The Jōmon period was the first historical period of Japan, and the name Jōmon comes from...
Definition
Samurai
The samurai (also bushi) were a class of warriors that arose in the 10th century in Japan and which performed military service until the 19th century. Elite and highly-trained soldiers adept at using both the bow and sword, the samurai were...
Definition
Nara Period
The Nara Period (Nara Jidai) of ancient Japan (710-794 CE), so called because for most of that time the capital was located at Nara, then known as Heijokyo, was a short period of transition prior to the significant Heian Period. Despite the...
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Memorial of the 26 Martyrs of Japan in Nagasaki
Memorial of the 26 Martyrs of Japan in Nagasaki, who were executed for their Christian beliefs in 1597, after Japan had outlawed the religion. Canonised by the Catholic Church, the martyrs were tortured before their execution, with the event...
Definition
Nihon Shoki
The Nihon Shoki ('Chronicle of Japan' and also known as the Nihongi) is an official history of Japan which was written by a committee of court scholars in 720 CE. It is a compilation of myths and legends concerning the Shinto gods and episodes...
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Vladimir I Converting to Christianity
A 19th century CE fresco by Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov in kieve depicting the baptism of the Kievan Rus leader Saint Prince Vladimir (r. 980-1015 CE)
Definition
Mystery Cults
Mystery cults, or mystery religions, were ancient religious associations characterized by secrecy and initiation rites. They typically surrounded one primary deity, but some mystery cults venerated multiple deities in their rites. Members...
Definition
Hilda of Whitby
Hilda of Whitby (also known as Saint Hilda of Whitby, l. 614-680 CE) was the founder and abbess of the monastery at Whitby, Kingdom of Northumbria, Britain. She was a Northumbrian princess who converted to Christianity with the rest of the...