Source edition
Tertullian. Quinti Septimi Florentis Tertulliani opera, Pars I (Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum, Volume 20). Reifferscheid, August; Wissowa, Georg, editors. Prague, Vienna, Leipzig: F. Tempsky, G. Freytag, 1890.
Source data
Open Greek and Latin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a theological and practical treatise discussing the significance of Christian prayer and its concrete implementation. In the first half, the author meticulously commentates on each petition of the Lord's Prayer established by Christ, revealing its hidden doctrinal meaning and the condensation of Christian teachings. In the middle section, the focus shifts to the inner purification of the pray-er, criticizing superstitious practices and inappropriate postures of the time. The author also conducts a detailed examination of church discipline, particularly arguing that all women, including virgins, should veil their heads in accordance with Scripture and nature. The latter half addresses specific customs such as the times and physical postures of prayer, declaring that Christian prayer is the true spiritual sacrifice (spiritalis hostia) that supersedes old material offerings. Finally, the treatise concludes by depicting all creation in prayer, thereby emphasizing its absolute and universal importance.