Page:Catholic Encyclopedia, volume 11.djvu/665

 PECTORALE

601

PELAGIA

1?


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Pectoral of the High Priest

Israel", 294), viz., "the pouch of the Oracle". From Exodus we lenrn that the material employed was the same sub.-i i i '1 fur the ephod (q. v.), viz., gold, blue, purple, and scarlet on aground- work of fine twined linen, which are the finest and most artistic textile fab- rics (cf. also Ec- clu.s., xlv). The form of t he pectoral was a square made by the folding in two of the material measuring a cubit in length and a half cubit in breadth. Into this square were fitted by means of gold set- tings four rows of precious stones, three in a row. On each jewel was in- scribed the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, whose memory was thus borne continually before the Lord by the higli priest in his official functions (see Ex., xx\'iii, 29). B.sidfs the ordinary Commentaries on tlic Book of Exodus, soe .\ncessi. L'E(ji/pte el Moise (Paris, 187.3), chapter; Les Vi'ltments du Crami Preirr: KENNEDY in H.4ST1NG.S, Diet, of the Bible, a. V. Breaslplalc of the High Priest; Bhaun. Vest. Sacerd. Heh. (.\mstprdam, 16SU). JaMES F. DriSCOLL.

PectoraJe (Crux Pectoralis) is the name of the cro.ss u.sed by the pope, cardinals, bishops, abbots, and other prelates entitled to use the pontifical insignia. It is worn on the breast attached to a chain or silken cord, the colour differing, according to the dignity of the wearer, i. e. green, violet, or black. It is made of precious metal, ornamented, more or less, with dia- monds, pearls, or similar embellishment, and con- tains either the relics of some saint, or a particle of the Holy Cross. It is worn over the alb during liturgi- cal functions. The prelate should kiss the cross before putting it on his neck, and while putting it on say the prayer "IVIunire me digneris" (the origin of which dates back to the Middle Ages), in which he petitions God for protection against his enemies, and begs to bear in mind continually the Passion of Our Lord, and the triumphs of the confessors of the Faith. The pontifical pectoral cross is distinct from the simple cro.ss, the use of which is often permitted by the pope to members of cathedral chapters. Canons, to whom this iii'ivilesie luvs been granted, are permitted to wear the (TOSS at choir service only, and not over the alb at liturgical scr\-ices, unless specially permitted. The pectoral is the latest addition to episcopal ornaments. The custom, however, of wearing a cross on the breast eitlier with or without holy relics, dates back to an- cient time and was obser\'ed not only by bishops, but also by priests and lay people. The first mention made of the pectoral cross as a part of pontifical orna- ment is by Innocent III, and its use as such only be- came customary toward the close of the Middle Ages. As an adornment for bishops we meet it the first time toward the end of the thirteenth century (Durandus), but at that time it was not generally worn by bishops. As Durandus says: "it was left to the discretion of the individual bishop to wear it or not". The Greek bishops also wear a pectoral cross but only over their liturgical vestments (chasuble or salkos).

R&HAULT DE Fleury, La Messt. VIII (Paris, 1889) ; Bock, II iMory of Litxtrgical Vestments, II (Bonn. 1866); Kirchenlexiron, 9. V. Kreuz, 4 Das Pecioralkreuz; Thalhofer. Liturgik, I (Frei- burg, 1883); Bona, Rerum lilurg. libri duo, II (2nd ed. Turin, 1749).

Joseph Braun.

Pectorius. See Atttun, Diocese op.

Pednelissus (Petnelisstjs), a titular see in Pam- phylia Secunda, suffragan of Perge. In ancient times this city was a part of Pisidia. It is mentioned by Strabo, XII, 570, XIV, 667; Ptolemy, V, 5, 8; Pliny, V, 26, 1; Stephanus Byzantius, s. v.; in the sixth cen- tury by Hierocles, " Synecdemus", 681, 12, who locates it in Pamphylia. It is important for its frequent wars with Selge (Polybius, V, 72, etc.). Its coins have two forms of the name, as above (Head, "Historia numo- rum", 591); other documents frequently give very corrupted forms. The " Notitiae Episcopatuum " men- tion the see as late as the thirteenth century ; but only two bishops are known ; Heraclides, present at the CEcu- menical Council of Constantinople, 381, and Mar- tinus, who signed the letter of the bishops of Pamphy- lia to Emperor Leo (LeQuien, "Oriens Christ ianus", I, 1023). The exact site of the city is unknown and it is identified with several localities; the most probable identification is with the remains of a group of ruins to the south of Tchaudir and to the east of Kizil Keui in Pambouk ova (cotton field), vilayet of Koniah.

Smith, Diet, of Greek and Roman Geogr., s. v.; Radet, Les villes de Pisidie in Revue archeologique (Paris, 1893), 8 sq.; see also the notes of MtJLLER on Ptolemy, ed. Didot, I, 864.

S. P^TRIDilS.

Pedro de Cordova, b. at Cordova, Andalusia, Spain, about 1400; d. on the Island of Santo Domingo, 1525. He stuilied theology at the University of Sala- manca and there joined the Dominicans. About 1510 he went to Santo Domingo, founding the Santa Cruz pro\'ince of the order. He was a zealous protector of the Indians and a friend of Las Casas. His book, "Doctrina cristiana para instruccion e informacion de los Indios por manera de historia", was printed in 1544 at Mexico by directions of Bishop Zumdrraga. It was destined for the education of the Indians, chieflj' of the islands, and is one of the earliest books of catechism known to have been composed in Amer- ica. Fray Pedro was the first inquisitor appointed in the New World. He enjoyed the reputation of a model priest, highly respected by the clergy, the laity, and the Indians.

Las Casas, Historias de las Indias (Madrid, 1875-76) ; DAvila Padilla, Historia de la Fundacion y Discurso de la Provincia de Santiago de Mexico (Madrid, 1596; Brussels, 1625); Ycazbai^ ceta, Bibliografia mexicana (Mexico, 1886).

Ad. F. Bandelier.

Pedro de Luna (Benedict XIII). See Luna, Pedro de.

Peking. See China.

Pelagia, the name of .several saints. The old Syrian m;xrtyrology (ed. De Rossi-Duchesne, in "Acta sis.", Nov., II ; " Martyrol. Hieronj-m.", Ixi) gives the feast of a St. Pelagia of Antioch (in Antiochia Pelagise) under the date of 8 October. Further information concerning this martyr, undoubtedly an historical person, is given in a homily of St. John Chrysostom [P. G., L, 479 sqq.; Ruinart, "Acta mart, sincera" (ed. Ratisbon), 540 sqq.). Pelagia was a Christian virgin fifteen years of age. Soldiers came in search of her, evidently during the Diocletian persecution, in order to force her to offer publicly a heathen sacrifice. She was alone in the house, no one being there to aid her. She came out to the soldiers sent after her and when she learned the order they had to execute, she requested permission to go again into the house in order to put on other clothing. This was granted to her. The virgin who probably knew what was before her was not willing to expose herself to the danger of being dishonoured. She thereiore went up to the roof of the house and threw herself into the sea. Thus she died, as St. Chrysostom says, as virgin and martyr, and was honoured as such by the Antiochene Church. St. Ambrose also mentions this St. Pelagia of Antioch ("De virginibus", III, vii, in P. L., XVI, 229: