We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Alabaster
FREE Catholic Classes
(Greek alabastros , -on ; Latin alabaster , -trum ; of uncertain origin).
The substance commonly known as alabaster is a fine-grained variety of gypsum (calcium sulphate) much used for vases and other ornamental articles. Oriental alabaster, the alabastrites of the classical writers, is a translucent marble (calcium carbonate) obtained from stalagmitic deposits; because of its usually banded structure, which gives it some resemblance to onyx, it is also called onyx marble, or simply, though incorrectly, onyx. From remote times it was highly esteemed for decorative purposes. Among the ancients Oriental alabaster was frequently used for vases to hold unguents, in the belief that it preserved them; whence the vases were called alabasters, even when made of other materials. Such was the "alabastrum unguenti" ( Matthew 26:7 ; Mark 14:3 , Luke 7:37 ), with which the sinful woman anointed the Saviour. The vase, however, though probably of alabaster, was not necessarily of that material, as our English translation "alabaster box of ointments" seems to imply.
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
A Tribute to Pope Saint John Paul II
-
'You Belong To The Future': Remembering Pope John Paul II's powerful words to the Youth
-
Remembering Saint John Paul's Gospel of Life
-
What is the Difference Between Demons and Ghosts? A Catholic Perspective
-
Mission San Antonio de Padua: Agricultural and Ranching Powerhouse
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Wednesday, October 23, 2024
- St. John of Capistrano: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, October 23, 2024
- Prayer to St. John Paul II: Prayer of the Day for Tuesday, October 22, 2024
- Daily Readings for Tuesday, October 22, 2024
- St. Pope John Paul II: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, October 22, 2024
- Prayer to Holy Michael the Archangel: Prayer of the Day for Monday, October 21, 2024
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.