When did the idea of Purgatory begin?

The most prominent modern historian of the idea of Purgatory, Jacques Le Goff, dates the term purgatorium to around 1170; and in 1215 the Church began to set out the actual length of time in Purgatory required of souls. It is easy to see how this might have been a useful development for the Church.

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Where did the belief of purgatory come from?

According to Jacques Le Goff, the conception of purgatory as a physical place came into existence in Western Europe toward the end of the twelfth century. Le Goff states that the concept involves the idea of a purgatorial fire, which he suggests "is expiatory and purifying not punitive like hell fire".

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Who first came up with the idea of purgatory?

The idea of purgatory has roots that date back into antiquity. A sort of proto-purgatory called the "celestial Hades" appears in the writings of Plato and Heraclides Ponticus and in many other pagan writers. This concept is distinguished from the Hades of the underworld described in the works of Homer and Hesiod.

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What religion does purgatory come from?

purgatory, the condition, process, or place of purification or temporary punishment in which, according to medieval Christian and Roman Catholic belief, the souls of those who die in a state of grace are made ready for heaven.

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How old is purgatory?

Gregory the Great established a connection between earthly penance and purification after death. All Soul's Day, established in the 10th century, turned popular attention to the condition of departed souls. The idea of Purgatory as a physical place (like heaven and hell) was "born" in the late 11th century.

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Did Catholics Make Up Purgatory?

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When did the Catholic Church get rid of Purgatory?

The sale of indulgences for time off in Purgatory fueled the Protestant Reformation in 1517, which in turn sparked a series of wars between European Christians. In 1563, Catholics formally outlawed the sale of indulgences.

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How many years is 1 minute in Purgatory?

Time is warped in Purgatory; a minute in the real world corresponds to a year in Purgatory. It is basically a universe separated from the mortal plane.

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Who is the gatekeeper of purgatory?

The gate of Purgatory, Peter's Gate, is guarded by an angel bearing a naked sword, his countenance too bright for Dante's sight to sustain. In reply to the angel's challenge, Virgil declares that a lady from heaven brought them there and directed them to the gate.

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Does every religion believe in purgatory?

Protestants don't believe in purgatory. Jews don't believe in purgatory. However, the idea behind purgatory is in nearly every religion. It is the idea that the soul within us for our lifetime may be pure when God implanted it into our bodies, but that that soul is affected by the choices we make in life.

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Can you avoid purgatory?

The First Means of avoiding Purgatory is manifestly to remove the cause which sends us there, which is sin. It may not be easy to refrain from all sin, even the smaller sins, but every ordinary Christian can, by the frequent use of the Sacraments, easily abstain from mortal sin.

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Can souls in purgatory see us?

According to the writings and visions of countless saints and theologians, most people who die in a state of grace are not yet fully purified. Their souls are not ready to see God face-to-face or to embrace perfect union with Him. St.

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How long are souls in purgatory?

A Spanish theologian from the late Middle Ages once argued that the average Christian spends 1000 to 2000 years in purgatory (according to Stephen Greenblatt's Hamlet in Purgatory). But there's no official take on the average sentence.

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Did Dante create the concept of purgatory?

The concept of Purgatory was relatively new when Dante was born; it came into currency in the twelfth century, perhaps among French theologians. This invention of a liminal space for sinners who had repented but still had work to do on their souls was a great consolation to the faithful.

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What is the only unforgivable sin?

One eternal or unforgivable sin (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit), also known as the sin unto death, is specified in several passages of the Synoptic Gospels, including Mark 3:28–29, Matthew 12:31–32, and Luke 12:10, as well as other New Testament passages including Hebrews 6:4–6, Hebrews 10:26–31, and 1 John 5:16.

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Does the Catholic Church still believe in original sin?

The Catholic Church teaches that every human person born on earth is made in the image of God. Within man "is both the powerful surge toward the good because we are made in the image of God, and the darker impulses toward evil because of the effects of Original Sin".

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Does Catholic Church still believe in limbo?

The Limbo of the Fathers is an official doctrine of the Catholic Church, but the Limbo of the Infants is not.

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What do Muslims call purgatory?

Barzakh and Christian purgatory

Barzakh is actually closer to the idea of limbo, a place that is between life and the true afterlife. In this place, people await their final judgment, much like some definitions of Barzakh. The Quranic idea of aʿrāf (“the heights”) is closer to that of Christian purgatory.

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Do Catholic Christians believe in purgatory?

The Catholic Church teaches that death is not the end. When someone dies, it is only their physical body that stops living. The eternal part of a person, the soul, may go to Heaven or Purgatory . Purgatory is where the souls with unforgiven sins will go, so that they can be purified and reach Heaven.

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Was Jesus the founder of the Catholic Church?

According to Catholic tradition, the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ. The New Testament records Jesus' activities and teaching, His appointment of the twelve Apostles, and His instructions to them to continue His work.

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What angel guards Purgatory?

Dante describes Cato as having a long grizzled beard and graying hair falling down over his chest in two tresses; his face is illuminated by starlight (as if he were facing the sun). As the warden or guardian of the mountain of Purgatory, Cato performs a role somewhat similar to that of Charon in Hell.

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What are the 9 levels of Purgatory?

A Visitor's Guide to Dante's Nine Circles of Hell
  • First Circle: Limbo. The first circle is home to the unbaptized and virtuous pagans. ...
  • Second Circle: Lust. ...
  • Third Circle: Gluttony. ...
  • Fourth Circle: Greed. ...
  • Fifth Circle: Anger. ...
  • Sixth Circle: Heresy. ...
  • Seventh Circle: Violence. ...
  • Eighth Circle: Fraud.

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What angel is in charge of Purgatory?

In Islamic belief, Maalik (Arabic: مالك, romanized: mālik) denotes an angel in Hell/Purgatory (Arabic: جهنم, romanized: jahannam) who administrates the Hellfire, assisted by 19 mysterious guards (Sura 74:30) known as Zabaniyya (Arabic: الزبانية, romanized: az-zabānīya).

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What month is souls in Purgatory?

November: the month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

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How hot is Purgatory?

This sauce contains peppers tested at over 1 million Scoville Heat Units at a leading university.

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What is 7 days to Purgatory?

Seven Days in Purgatory is a fun decision-making game that is inspired by Papers, Please in which you get to decide the fate of the fallen humans. You are the gate inspector of purgatory, and you must decide if each person should go to heaven or hell.

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