was the name by which the early Christian Church designated its newly made converts, and they continued to be called such until Easter week, when, on the "great Sabbath," and on the octave of Easter, they laid aside their white garments, and appeared with the rest of the Church, after having been solemnly exhorted by the bishop to be faithful to their baptismal vows. See Guericke, Man. of Ch. Hist. (Anc. Ch. Hist.) p. 298.