Question 71 · Mary, the saints, images and prayer

Did they pray for the dead, and is there a purgatory?

What the sources show

Tertullian c. 211–c. 217 · Perpetua of Carthage c. 203Prayed for the dead

By about 200, Christians at Carthage offered the Eucharist for the dead on their anniversaries and prayed for their "refreshment"; the martyr Perpetua prayed for her dead brother. ¹²³

Cyril of Jerusalem c. 350 · Augustine of Hippo c. 400Prayed for the dead

The fourth-century liturgy prayed for all the departed at the Eucharist, and Monica asked only to be remembered at the altar. ⁴⁵

Augustine of Hippo c. 426 · Council of Trent 1563 · Synod of Jerusalem (Orthodox) 1672 · Westminster Assembly 1646

Augustine allowed that some suffer purifying punishment after death; the West defined purgatory. The Orthodox pray for the dead without defining it; the Reformed reject both. ⁶⁷⁸⁹

The answers given:

ApostolicBefore NicaeaNicaea and afterMiddle AgesReformation to today

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Before Nicaea

150–325

203c. AD

Prayed for the dead

Perpetua of Carthage d. 203 ADPassion of Perpetua and Felicity 7.1–4

A few days later, while we were all praying, suddenly in the middle of the prayer a word came to me, and I named Dinocrates ... And I knew at once that I was worthy, and ought to ask for him. And I began to pray much for him, and to groan to the Lord. That very night this was shown me: I see Dinocrates coming out of a dark place, where there were many others, very hot and thirsty, with a dirty face and pale color.

From the diary of a young martyr in prison. After her prayers she sees her dead brother healed and refreshed (chapter 8).

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211c. AD

Prayed for the dead

Tertullian c. 155–c. 220 ADOn the Crown 3.3

We make offerings for the dead, for their birthdays, on the anniversary.

Among customs kept by tradition. "Birthdays" are the days of their death.

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217c. AD

Prayed for the dead

Tertullian c. 155–c. 220 ADOn Monogamy 10.4

Indeed she prays for his soul, and asks refreshment for him in the meantime, and fellowship in the first resurrection, and she offers on the anniversaries of his falling asleep.

Tertullian uses the custom to argue that a widow is still bound to her husband.

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Nicaea to Chalcedon

325–451

350c. AD

Prayed for the dead

Cyril of Jerusalem c. 313–386 ADMystagogic Catecheses 5.9

Then also for the holy fathers and bishops who have fallen asleep, and in short for all who have fallen asleep before us, believing that it will be the greatest help to the souls for whom the prayer is offered while the holy and most awesome sacrifice lies before us.

Cyril goes on to answer those who ask what good it does a soul that died in sin.

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400c. AD

Prayed for the dead

Augustine of Hippo 354–430 ADConfessions 9.13.36

She did not want her body richly wrapped or embalmed, nor did she seek a fine monument or care for her home grave. She did not ask that of us; she only wished to be remembered at your altar, which she had served without missing a day, where she knew the holy victim was offered.

Monica's last wish, and Augustine's prayer for her that follows.

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426c. AD

Purgatory

Augustine of Hippo 354–430 ADCity of God 21.13

We confess that even in this mortal life there are some purgatorial punishments ... But some suffer temporary punishments in this life only, others after death, others both now and then, yet before that most severe and final judgment.

Augustine speaks of a purifying punishment after death for some, before the judgment. He calls the details uncertain elsewhere (Enchiridion 69).

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Reformation

1500–1700

1563AD

Purgatory

Council of TrentSession 25 Decree on Purgatory

there is a Purgatory, and that the souls there detained are helped by the suffrages of the faithful, but principally by the acceptable sacrifice of the altar

The Catholic decree, also defined at Lyons (1274) and Florence (1439).

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1646AD

No prayer

Westminster AssemblyWestminster Confession of Faith 32.1

Besides these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.

The Reformed: heaven or hell at death, and no prayer for the dead.

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1672AD

Prayed for the dead

Synod of Jerusalem (Orthodox)Confession of Dositheus Decree 18

are delivered by the Supreme Goodness, through the prayers of the Priests, and the good works which the relatives of each do for their Departed; especially the unbloody Sacrifice benefiting the most

The Orthodox pray for the dead without defining purgatory.

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Witnesses not in the library yet

These writers also matter for this question. Their texts will join the timeline above once they are translated.

200
Abercius of Hierapolis, Epitaph
"Let every friend who understands this pray for Abercius."
594
Gregory I, Dialogues 4.41 and 4.57
Purgatorial fire and Masses for the dead.

How this page was made

Every early quote was read in its Greek or Latin and translated for this page by Claude (Opus 5.5) on 13 October 2026. Each line names the printed edition it was read from. A quote marked indirect does not state the answer outright; read its note. A writer's silence is never counted as an answer.