8/29/2023 0 Comments How old is the imposition of ashes![]() They were admonished, prayed for, given the laying-on of hands, and expelled from the church before Holy Communion.Īs early as the third century Tertullian mentions ashes as an external sign of public penitence. Lent (40 days before Easter), the penitents were placed under discipline. In succeeding centuries, however, this public penitence was joined to Lent. ![]() Several years might be spent in each of the stages. In the fourth century those undergoing church discipline had to endure several stages of excommunication and reinstatement: weepers, who stood outside the church doors asking the prayers of those who went in hearers, who were allowed in the narthex standers who stood with the congregation but who had to leave before Holy Communion. ![]() Ash Wednesday was originally a day for the expulsion of penitents from the church, the beginning of a time of temporary excommunication. ![]()
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