That the word began very early to be used in this
new sense, is evident from Justin Martyr’s explanation of it in
his First Apology, c. 61; where, after speaking of instruction
in Christian doctrine, of the profession of faith, and the promise of
repentance and holy living, as the necessary preparations for Baptism,
he thus proceeds: “And this washing is called Illumination
(σωτισμός),
because they who learn these things are illuminated in their
understanding. ὡςφωτιζομένων
τὴν διάνοιαν
τῶν ταῦτα
μανθανόντων.” The same
transition of the meaning from instruction to Baptism is clearly
implied by Clement of Alexandria: “Among the barbarian
philosophers also to instruct and to enlighten is called to
regenerate Strom. V. c. 2,
§ 15.,” and
again: “For this reason the teaching, which made manifest
the hidden things, has been called illumination (φωτισμός) Strom. V. c. x.
§ 65. Cf. V. c. viii. § 49..”