Referring to biblical books accepted as canonical by Catholic and Orthodox churches but not by Protestant churches, also known as the Apocrypha. These texts were included in the ancient Greek translation of Hebrew scriptures but debated in early Christianity.
From Greek 'deuteros' (second) and 'kanon' (rule), meaning 'second canon,' the term was coined by Catholic scholars to distinguish these books from the 'protocanonical' books accepted by all Christians. The designation acknowledges their disputed status while maintaining their scriptural authority within Catholic tradition.
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