Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity Online

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Excommunication
(2,205 words)

Excommunication refers to the separation of an individual or a group of Christians from the main body of the church because of doctrinal error or serious sins he or she has committed. Influenced originally by Jewish cursing and synagogue bans, excommunication evolved throughout the early Christian period. It involved social, liturgical, and spiritual consequences for those who were excom…

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Uhalde, Kevin, “Excommunication”, in: Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity Online, General Editor David G. Hunter, Paul J.J. van Geest, Bert Jan Lietaert Peerbolte. Consulted online on 08 December 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2589-7993_EECO_SIM_00001223>
First published online: 2018



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