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Nautologi

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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(Ναυτολόγοι, collecting passengers), a name frequently given to catechists in the early Church. In some authors it was usual to compare the Church to a ship. (See NAUTE). The bishop was (ὁ πρωρεύς) the pilot, the presbyters (οἱ ναύται) the mariners, the deacons (οἱ τοίχαρχοι ) the chief rowers, the catechists (οἱ ναυτολόγοι) those who were to admit passengers into the ship, and to contract with them for their fare. This was properly the catechist's duty, to show the catechumens the conditions on which they were to be admitted into the Christian ship.