AGONISTICI
A name given by Donatus to such of his disciples as he sent to fairs, markets, and other public places, to propagate his doctrine. They were called Agonistici from the Greek “combat, ” because they were sent, as it were, to fight and subdue the people to their opinions.
See DONATIST.
Fuente: Theological Dictionary
Agonistici
(Agon=”struggle”).
One of the names given by the Donatists to those of their followers who went through cities and villages to disseminate the doctrine of Donatus. They first appeared about 317 (Tillemont, Mém., VI, 96), and claimed that they were champions of Christ, fighting with the sword of Israel. Their war-cry was Laudes Deo (Praises to God). They committed many barbarous acts and deeds of violence. Whether they called themselves “fighters” (Agonistic) because they fought the battles of the Lord, or because they were forced to fight those who sought to protect their property against their invasions, is not clear. The Catholics styled the Agonistici, “Circumcellions,” i.e. circum cellas euntes, because they roved about among the peasants, living on those they sought to indoctrinate.
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GIRAUD, Bibl. Sac., I, 226.
JOHN J. A’ BECKET
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume ICopyright © 1907 by Robert Appleton CompanyOnline Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. KnightNihil Obstat, March 1, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., CensorImprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York
Fuente: Catholic Encyclopedia
Agonistici
a branch of the Donatists who spread themselves through Africa to preach the opinions of Donatus, and committed many crimes under pretext of doing justice at fairs and such places. Desirous of becoming martyrs, they exposed themselves to the greatest dangers, and sometimes even killed themselves. They were forcibly suppressed under Emperor Constans, but existed till the inroad of the Vandals. SEE DONATISTS. Agonizants (Confraternity of the), a society of Roman Catholic penitents at Rome (and elsewhere, as at Lima in South America), whose chief duty is that of prayer for persons condemned to death by the law. On the eve of an execution they give notice of it to several nunneries, and on the day on which the criminal is to suffer they cause a great number of masses to be said for him. Another confraternity under the same name assist at death-beds generally.