SHRIVING PEW Meaning and
Definition
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A "shriving pew" refers to a specific type of seating arrangement within a Christian church, particularly found in medieval times. The term is derived from the word "shrive," which means to hear a confession or to absolve someone of their sins.
A shriving pew typically consists of a small enclosed space or a partitioned area located within the church building, often near the entrance or in a secluded corner. It is intended as a private space where individuals could go to seek confession from a priest or to receive absolution during the period of Lent. The purpose of the shriving pew is to provide a place for penitents to confess their sins, receive spiritual guidance, and obtain forgiveness before participating in the holy sacrament of Communion.
Shriving pews were often constructed with a small window or wall opening, through which the penitent could whisper their confession to the priest on the other side. This allowed for a degree of privacy while still maintaining the symbolic act of confessing one's sins openly.
Throughout history, shriving pews have become less common as the practice of individual confession has evolved within Christian denominations. However, in some churches, particularly those with a historical or medieval influence, remnants of shriving pews may still be present as a reminder of their significance in the spiritual life of past generations.
Common Misspellings for SHRIVING PEW
- ahriving pew
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- xhriving pew
- dhriving pew
- ehriving pew
- whriving pew
- sgriving pew
- sbriving pew
- snriving pew
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- suriving pew
- syriving pew
- sheiving pew
- shdiving pew
- shfiving pew
- shtiving pew
- sh5iving pew
- sh4iving pew
- shruving pew
- shrjving pew
Etymology of SHRIVING PEW
The term "shriving pew" has roots in Middle English and is derived from two separate words.
The word "shriving" comes from the Old English word "scrīfan", which means "to prescribe" in terms of confessing one's sins. A "shrive" was a confession made to a priest, often done before Lent, the period of fasting and prayer in the Christian calendar before Easter.
The word "pew" comes from Latin "podium", meaning a raised platform or area. In the context of a church, a pew refers to a seating bench, particularly in the area designated for the congregation.
So, a "shriving pew" originally referred to a specific area or bench in a church where individuals would traditionally sit to make their confessions before the priest. Over time, however, the term has become less common.
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