Bible Encyclopedias
Symposia

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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Sympson, Cuthbert

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Webster Dictionary
• Symposia
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McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia
• Symposia

(συμπόσια, banquets) is a word occasionally used by ecclesiastical writers to describe the ancient agape (q.v.). These symposia were held at the graves of the martyrs; and the festival was designed to be, not only a memorial of the deceased, but, according to Origen, "an odor of a sweet smell in the sight of God;" for the poor and needy, the widows and orphans, met together, and were refreshed by the charity of the rich.