medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
I can tell you that among us Orthodox it is customary for a priest to receive a "stole fee" anytime he dons his priestly stole (epitrachilion): baptism, funeral, wedding, house blessing, etc. In the past, this practice was even more extensive, including confession, visitation of the sick, unction/last rites as well.
Also, surplice "fee" might be a bit strong. Although baptism was free it might have been customary to nevertheless give the priest a small gift.
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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and cultureDear All,This is a bit off topic, but its roots will be in the MA.I came across the phrase "surplice fees" in an 18th C source (Parson Woodforde's Diary) and asked a priest friend if I was right to think that these were fees paid for the occasional office: baptisms, churchings, weddings, burials. Their reply was that it must refer to weddings & burials only since baptisms (and possibly churchings) were free - but then added that this may have only been true since the coming of state registration of birth since 1832. Before then baptism acted as a birth registration.Can anyone throw light on this ? Were baptisms performed for free in (any part of ) the Middle Ages ? Post Reformation ? Wikipedia lists "baptisms, weddings and burials" as generating surplice fees but we all know how accurate THAT is. And it does not mention churchings.In anticipation,BrendaBrenda M. CookIndependent Scholar **********************************************************************To join the list, send the message: subscribe medieval-religion YOUR NAMEto: [log in to unmask]To send a message to the list, address it to:[log in to unmask]To leave the list, send the message: unsubscribe medieval-religionto: [log in to unmask]In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:[log in to unmask]For further information, visit our web site:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/medieval-religion
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