Exomologesis

/ˌɛk.soʊ.mɑˈlɑ.dʒə.sɪs/ noun

Definition

In early Christian practice, a public confession of sins and penance performed before the congregation.

Etymology

From Greek 'exo-' (out, forth) + 'homologesis' (acknowledgment, from 'homologein' to agree), this term emerged in early Christian contexts around the 2nd-3rd centuries as a formal religious practice.

Kelly Says

Before modern therapy, there was 'exomologesis'—a practice so powerful that people would stand before their entire church community to confess wrongs. It reveals how confession has always been understood as spiritually transformative, not just about individual guilt.

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