Harrowing of Hell

English Proper noun 1 Harrowing of Hell en Christianity theology Christ's freeing from the underworld of those souls of the dead who were to go to Heaven. en 1991 M. B. McNamee Beowulf-An Allegory of Salvation? Robert D. Fulk Interpretations of Beowulf Indiana University Press https://books.google.com.au/books?id=_sU0bTfcIjYC&pg=PA94&dq=%22Harrowing+of+Hell%22&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjN2bLi0ZKKAxXoXWwGHfybIFgQ6AF6BAg1EAI#v=onepage&q=%22Harrowing%20of%20Hell%22&f=false 94 The source of the Harrowing of Hell tradition is, of course, the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus, the oldest manuscripts of which date back to the fifth century, and that work was tremendously popular in England from the earliest days of Christianity there. Usage notes While it is mentioned in the Apostles' Creed that Christ descended into Hell, the term is closely associated with stories told in the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus, that he triumphed over Satan and brought salvation to particular Old Testament figures, such as Adam and Eve. It was a popular subject of miracle plays in medieval England. Translations Christ's freeing of souls from the underworld French: fr descente aux Enfers f German: de Höllefahrt Christi Italian: it Latin: la Dēscēnsus Chrīstī ad Īnferōs m References "Harrowing of Hell" on Catholic Encyclopedia en Christianity Hell