Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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NICOLAITANS

A Christian sect in the early Church in Ephesus and Pergamum; it had a divisive influence because it encouraged pagan food practices condemned by the Church (Revelation 2:15). In Revelation, John speaks of them bitterly when he says, "It is in your favor that you loathe as I do what the Nicolaitans are doing" (Revelation 2:6). (Etym. Greek nikolaites [sing.], follower of Nicolaus.)