The Brethren Church and the Navy Chaplaincy

Abstract

PREFACE: ETYMOLOGY OF THE TITLE "CHAPLAIN": St. Martin of Tours, a compassionate fourth century soldier who encountered a shivering beggar on a cold winter night and having no money in his purse, took off his cloak and slashed it with his sword to give half to the beggar. Later that night he had a vision in which he saw Christ wearing the half-cloak. As a result of this experience he was baptized as a Christian. Ultimately he left the army to devote his life to the church. In time he became the patron saint of the French kings of the Middle Ages. St. Martin's cloak ( cappella ) was carried into battle by the kings as a banner signifying the presence of God. But since the cappella was a sacred relic of the church, a priest went along as custodian. This keeper 'of the cloak, or cappellanus , also tended the king's religious needs, and from his office was derived that of "chaplain." The depository for the cloak became the "chapel," the place of worship.