DIDACHE Meaning and
Definition
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Didache is a Greek word that translates to "teaching" or "doctrine." In the context of ancient Christianity, the Didache refers specifically to a significant early Christian document that is believed to have been written in the late first century or early second century AD. The Didache is considered to be one of the earliest surviving Christian texts apart from the New Testament.
This ancient document consists of a brief manual that provides practical instructions and guidance to early Christian communities on various aspects of Christian life, including teachings on faith, morality, baptism, fasting, prayer, and the Eucharist. It also includes instructions on how to identify false prophets and teachers, as well as guidelines for the proper conduct of traveling apostles.
The Didache offers valuable insights into the beliefs, practices, and organization of early Christian communities, shedding light on the development of post-apostolic Christianity. It is regarded as an important historical source for understanding the early Church and its teachings. The text was highly regarded by many early Church Fathers, such as Athanasius and Origen, and it was widely circulated among Christian communities in the early centuries of Christianity.
The Didache, with its emphasis on ethical standards and practical guidance, continues to be studied and valued by scholars, theologians, and believers today as a valuable resource in understanding the foundations of early Christian teachings and practices.
Etymology of DIDACHE
The word "didache" originates from the Greek term "διδαχή" (didachē), which means "teaching" or "instruction". It comes from the verb "διδάσκω" (didaskō), meaning "to teach" or "to instruct". The term "didache" often refers to the early Christian writing known as the "Didache" or "The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles", which is believed to have been a guidebook for religious instruction in the Early Church.
