The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

""252 THE FAITH OF OUR FATHER*.of the Fathers in reference to the subject of Purgatory.3. I would wish to place before you extended extracts from the writings of the early Fathers of theChurch bearing upon this subject; but I must content myself with quoting a few of the most prominent lights of primitive Christianity.Tertullian, who lived in the second century, sayathat the faithful wife will pray for the soul of herdeceased husband, particularly on the anniversaryday of his falling asleep (death). And if she failto do so, she hath repudiated her husband as far a&in her lies."lEusebius (4th cent.), the historian, describing thefuneral of Constantine the Great, saya that the bodyof the blessed prince was placed on a lofty bier, andthe ministers of God, and the multitude of thepeople, with tears and much lamentation, offered upprayers and sacrifice for the reposeof his soul.And the historian adds that this was done in accordance with the desires of that religious monarch, whohad erected in Constantinople the great church inhonor of the Apostles, so that after his death thefaithful mightthere remember him.2WeSt. Cyril of Jerusalem (4th cent.) writes :commemorate the Holy Fathers, and Bishops, andall who have fallen asleep from amongst us, believing that the supplications which we present will1 De Monogam., n. x. * Euseb., B. iv., c. 71.be