Neophyte (church)

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The neophyte (from Greek νεόφυτος , 'freshly planted, newly converted, newcomer' ; Latin neophytus , 'newly baptized, newly converted' ) is a person who has recently adopted a new faith. In Christianity, this is an adult, recently baptized person who, after the catechumenate and his baptism, is to be guided through appropriate instruction to a fuller knowledge of the truth of the Gospel and to fulfill the duties assumed through baptism, or to be guided to sincere love for Christ and his Church . Traditionally, the neophyte wears white clothes from the beginning of Easter vigil until the first Sunday after Easter .

Those newly accepted into an order of monks, newly baptized in the Spanish missions or new members in certain secret societies were also called neophytes. Up until the 15th century, neophytes were not allowed to hold church offices, after which this restriction was lifted in Spain and later by the whole church.

background

Esoteric traditions that were adopted by Christianity can already be found in the mystery cults . The members newly admitted to these secret societies were called neophytes, who were obliged to maintain secrecy according to the arcane principle and to keep silence about everything they saw, heard and recognized. Admission to an esoteric community is preceded by a time of (self) examination, in which the neophyte is cared for by a master or guru who lets him experience the knowledge of the community and its mystery. During this probationary period, the neophyte must occasionally undergo certain practices such as fasting, sleep deprivation and trance - sometimes with the use of drugs. The trial period ends with an initiation or initiation, after which the neophyte is accepted into the community as an “awakened” or “newborn”.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Can. 789 CIC.
  2. ^ Gerhard Krause, Gerhard Müller : Theologische Realenzyklopädie . Volume 16: Idealism - Jesus Christ IV. Walter de Gruyter Verlag 1987, ISBN 3-11-011159-4 , p. 158.
  3. ↑ Marc Roberts: The new lexicon of esotericism. Schwarzkopf & Schwarzkopf Verlag, Berlin 2005, ISBN 3-89602-537-6 , pp. 297-298.
  4. ↑ Horst E. Miers : Lexicon of secret knowledge. Goldmann Verlag, Munich 1993, ISBN 3-442-12179-5 , p. 176, p. 444.
  5. ^ Karl RH Frick: Light and Darkness. Gnostic-theosophical and Masonic-occult secret societies up to the turn of the 20th century. 2 volumes in 1 volume. Volume 2: History of their teachings, rituals and organizations. Marix Verlag, Wiesbaden 2005, ISBN 3-86539-044-7 , p. 274, p. 368-370.