Pax
in Church history, the kiss of peace. In the early Church the Roman osculum was adopted and raised to a spiritual significance (Rom. xvi: 16; I Cor. xvi: 20; II Cor. xiii: 12; I Thess. v: 26). To obviate possible danger from this custom, the Apostolic Constitutions strictly decreed the separation of the sexes at public worship. The pax was given at mass in the Western Churches till the 13th century, when Archbishop Walter in 1250 introduced the metal pax, and its use spread to the Continent. The pax is now only given at high masses, and the formal embrace substituted for the kiss is confined to those in the sanctuary. Also an osculatorium; at first probably a crucifix, then a plate of metal adorned with a figure of Christ crucified, or some other pious picture or emblem, passed among the congregation to be kissed as a substitute for the actual kiss of peace. Its use is almost entirely confined to religious houses and seminaries. Called also Instrumentum, Tabella Pacis, Pacificale, and Freda.
To give the pax, to exchange the formal embrace now substituted for the kiss of peace.
PAXO (ancient Paxos), one of the Ionian Islands, lies S. E. of Corfu, has, with the smaller island of Antipaxo (1 square mile), an area of 8½ square miles. Pop. (1920) about 5,000. Produces wine, olives and olive oil, almonds, oranges, lemons, etc. Capital, Gaïon, the seat of a bishop.