Questions tagged [historic-customs]

For questions relating to historical Church customs, traditions or folk culture within a particular Church.

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Was the music of the early church a capella?

I have often heard historical arguments like the following against the use of musical instruments: Neither he [Paul] nor any other apostle, nor the Lord Jesus, nor any of the disciples for five ...
The Editor's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
152 views

What is the difference between a Catholic custom and a Catholic tradition?

What is the difference between a Catholic custom and a Catholic tradition? I have noticed a trend in recent years to call Catholic customs a Catholic tradition (with a small t). Much confusion is out ...
Ken Graham's user avatar
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Where does the practice of sprinkling as a mode of baptism come from?

I grew up in a credobaptist tradition. Studying both Scripture and church history for myself without the blinders of tradition, I have come to accept paedobaptism, as I have come to a different ...
Cynthia's user avatar
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1 answer
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How did the Catholic Masses' kyriales get their names?

There are eighteen plainchant settings of the ordinary of the Mass (kyriales), sixteen of which have specific names. 1961 Liber Usualis: Ordinary Chants Name Season Mode Century 1 Lux et origo In ...
Andrew Leach's user avatar
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According to Protestantism, why is Hermeneutics necessary if we have the Holy Spirit?

We can understand in Protestant circles that Biblical Hermeneutics are important; for without such methods of interpretation the Scripture becomes “hard to understand” in many portions & passages. ...
Cork88's user avatar
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Any traditional Vigil celebration on Holy Thursday?

In the Catholic world, Holy Thursday is mostly celebrated with a mass, the Mass of the Lord's Supper, where the Washing of the Feet is performed. The liturgical texts concentrate on those events and ...
luchonacho's user avatar
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660 views

Did the Catholic Church justify castration with the "castri" choirs?

I was listening to a recent the Art of Manliness podcast, they were talking about the castrati which I'd never heard of before, although it did come up once here. Did the Catholic Church turn a blind ...
Peter Turner's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
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Why the English version of rosary doesn't insert the mysteries in the Hail Mary prayer?

In many languages, countries when people pray rosary they insert the mysteries in the Hail Mary after saying "Jesus". It is used officially in public places by everyone. For example: Hail, ...
Grasper's user avatar
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6 answers
14k views

What is the origin of closing one's eyes during prayer?

I have been a Christian since my youth, but I have never received a satisfactory answer to this question. Why must a Christian close their eyes during prayer? In large services in the west, (I am not ...
WnGatRC456's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
320 views

What are the historical and scriptural reasons why women are prohibited and/or discouraged from wearing pants in some churches?

Note: I'm little surprised that this question had not been asked before. I've noticed that some churches place more emphasis on the issue of modesty than others. In more exaggerated cases, some ...
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What are the Catholic Church's instruction on kneeling down in prayer in churches?

In Catholic churches where pews are in place, one rarely notices the faithful kneeling down in prayer except perhaps during the Prayer of Consecration . In fact, in earlier times, the faithful would ...
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
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Do both officiant and recorder need holy orders to perform a Catholic baptism?

Many Catholic baptismal records from Spanish California (circa 1800) list the same clergyman as officiant and recorder (example), while some records separate the roles (example). I guess this ...
Aaron Brick's user avatar
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Taking shoes off before closing a deal - is there an history evidence?

In bible (Ruth 4,7) it's written that before closing a deal, it was used that one of the sides took his shoes off: Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and ...
Foreign affairs's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
62 views

Giving a name while doing circumcision?

It was claimed that the recent tradition in Judaism to give a name to babies while doing circumcision, is documented already in the New Testament. Is it true? I'm looking for the source / reference.
Foreign affairs's user avatar
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What is the origin and meaning of the rosary?

What is the origin and meaning of the rosary? It’s a repetitive customary prayer of “Hail Mary, the lord’s prayer, glory be, and oh my Jesus”.
Kaylee A's user avatar
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Why baptise or christen a child multiple times?

I'm researching my family tree and I'm currently investigating ancestors who lived in England in the 18th and 19th centuries (1700-1899). Many of these people were born before birth registrations were ...
CJ Dennis's user avatar
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Were birthdays celebrated by believers anywhere in Holy Scriptures? [closed]

Is there any mention of a birthday celebration among Old Testament Israelites or New Testament Christians in the Holy Scriptures?
Geremia's user avatar
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Regarding the practice of "cast lots". Was this done by Jews only or did others practice it?

Regarding the practice of 'cast lots' in the Old Testament. Was this used by Jews only or did others use this method?
Tim's user avatar
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6 votes
2 answers
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What is the earliest instance of Eucharistic adoration?

Eucharistic adoration is a practice in Catholicism in which the Eucharist, being bread that has literally turned into the body of Christ, is publicly displayed. Commonly, it is placed in a monstrance ...
Thunderforge's user avatar
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Is the orientation of a grave facing East required in the Catholic Church?

I noticed in a local rural cemetary that all the graves run east-west. It also appears that the Head stones are on the West end of the vault/coffin. Thus, I intuit that the Head is near the West ...
Schreib's user avatar
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How do Catholics observe Lent through a dignified and appropriate use of food?

Have you considered presenting menus for those fasting days for religious people to follow? If so, what foods to eat on which fasting season and why? Display pictures if possible. Many would ...
Beatrice Makokha's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
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Catholicism: Memento Mori in Christianity?

In this video, the priest says that Memento Mori is an integral part of Christianity. He says that priests and nuns used to place skulls on their desks to remind them of their impending death. I have ...
Lynob's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
13k views

What is the reason that nuns always cover their hair?

I've always been curious to know what's the reason that nuns, usually used to cover their hair and not show it out, while monks head is usually uncovered? What's the religious explanation for that ...
Foreign affairs's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
2k views

How does the Catholic Church choose the patron saint of a parish church?

I’m Catholic, and have been since birth. I attend parish of St. Francis in Bakersfield, California. I have noticed recently, that all Catholic Churches, for the most part are named after a Saint, i.e....
Bryan Rivers's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
1k views

What is the earliest surviving reference to the Paschal Greeting?

It's common in some traditions to greet one another with a "Paschal Greeting" on Easter, such as "Christ is risen," with the response "He is risen indeed." The custom seems to have originated in the ...
Nathaniel is protesting's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
729 views

How was circumcision practiced in Jesus' time?

Both John the Baptist and Jesus were circumcised on the 8th day, according to Old Testament laws. Luke 1:57-60 English Standard Version (ESV) Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she ...
MutluAnne's user avatar
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9 votes
2 answers
258 views

The right to read a Catholic Church's sacramental register?

In the era of handwritten parish registers, when a diocesan or missionary priest performed a sacramental rite, he wrote it up in a semi-structured form in a record book. Sometimes that priest was the ...
Aaron Brick's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
6k views

Why did Nehemiah need to tell us that the Queen was sitting beside the King?

What is the significance of knowing that the queen was sitting next to the king during this conversation in Nehemiah? Was there some historical or cultural significance to the queen being present that ...
LCIII's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
85 views

Biblical era gesture signifying peace between two parties? [closed]

I am working on a painting set in the Biblical era which shows a military group confronting another group. I am trying to find a gesture which the leader of one army would make to indicate that they ...
Geoff's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
101 views

Did Churches plant a tree at their entrance in 13th century Christian Spain?

Nahmanides (in his commentary to Deut. 16:22) writes that the Christians in his time had a custom of planting a tree at the entrance of their Churches. Is there any corroboration validating the ...
Reb Chaim HaQoton's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
163 views

Does Jesus' public reading of the Scriptures imply that he had any authority within the religious community?

In Luke 4:17, Jesus reads from the Scriptures during a religious meeting. The passage reads, Luke 4:16-21 (NIV) He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went ...
Andrew's user avatar
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3 votes
3 answers
1k views

Prior to Exodus 3:5, was it customary to take off one's shoes on sacred ground?

In the King James version of the Bible, Exodus 3:5, we read, And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. We are ...
moonman239's user avatar
1 vote
5 answers
1k views

Understanding Jesus counter argument against the Pharisees (Luke 11:19 )

I don't understand the following counter argument by Jesus. And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Luke 11:19 One viewpoint is that the Pharisees' students (...
CS Lewis's user avatar
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2 votes
3 answers
5k views

Is there a customary way to go around rosary beads?

The picture below depicts one way to go around the rosary beads when praying the Holy Rosary. If a child were to ask, as they typical do, as to why Catholics when praying the Holy Rosary customarily ...
user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
9k views

Was it just Daniel who prayed toward Jerusalem or did all exiles do so?

While studying the book of Daniel I came across: Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt ...
BYE's user avatar
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5 votes
4 answers
19k views

Where did the custom of dancing with flags during worship originate?

I'm trying to get some background about the custom of dancing with flags during worship. I come from eastern Europe and I have seen many "trends" that came from the west (especially from charismatics)....
Marcin Sanecki's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
102k views

Is there a particular order in lighting candles on an advent wreath?

In the Catholic tradition, is there a particular order in lighting the candles on an Advent Wreath? If there is, why? Which candle is lit first, and what order follows to the last candle? Where is ...
user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
3k views

Does the fact that Joseph was a *tekton* require that Jesus was as well?

I am not a scholar, but it always bothers me when preachers assume Jesus was a carpenter. And I've read the answers that project that his work was most likely in stone. But, as I understand it, at ...
Iris Williams's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
2k views

Why do some Christians (Coptic orthodox and catholic) kiss the priest's hand?

Considering kissing priest's hand is a christianity learning, where did this learning came from? Considering kissing priest's hand is a custom Where did this custom came from, Why it is wide ...
George Botros's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
4k views

Why do Indian Christian women wear head coverings?

It is known that many Indian Christian women wear head coverings during religious services. They may cover their heads with the end of a sari, which is a traditional garment worn by Hindu Indian women....
Double U's user avatar
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11 votes
2 answers
2k views

Where did the Young Earth Creationist doctrine originate?

I heard the other day that the literalist interpretation of biblical creation (A literal 7 day creation of the universe) isn't the classical historical interpretation that past Christians held. I was ...
Resting in Shade's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
450 views

Is there a special significance attached to a Latin Mass?

Every so often, one of my Catholic acquaintances will mention that they will be, or have just attended a Latin Mass. I know pretty much nothing about a Latin Mass, other than (obviously) that it's ...
David Stratton's user avatar
13 votes
6 answers
69k views

What is significant about the swaddling clothes with which Jesus was wrapped as a baby?

Luke gives the account of Jesus' birth and mentions that Mary wrapped Him in "swaddling cloths". And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a ...
Narnian's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
631 views

When did the gathered church stop singing choruses?

I read a few years ago, that the early church (1st - 2nd century) would start their gatherings by singing choruses and that this went on for a while, before the rest of the liturgy. Unfortunately, my ...
itpastorn's user avatar
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10 votes
7 answers
11k views

Does any church follow the Apostolic Tradition of Baptism ‘in the nude’, or was that never the tradition?

The Apostolic Tradition was the work of Hippolytus, written somewhere between 215 and 400 AD. Recent scholars seem to take the later date (source). The whole writing can be found here: Apostolic ...
Mike's user avatar
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12 votes
7 answers
109k views

What is the significance of the three different gifts (gold, frankincense and myrrh) given to Jesus by the Magi after his birth? [closed]

In Matthew 2:11, we read that the Magi or wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Were these common gifts to be given at that time or did each of them hold significant meaning, ...
Narnian's user avatar
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