Tempus clausum

As a closed time (Latin Tempus clausum ), in the former Roman Catholic canon law also: forbidden time (Latin Tempus feriatum ), the so-called penitential seasons in the church year, Lent and Advent, respectively.

In these times, the Christians are in their personal life by fasting and abstinence, and prepare a vertiefteres prayer life on the high festivals ( Christmas and Easter). Also, the faithful should impose voluntary " small mortifications " and give alms. In these closed times could not be danced and celebrated consuming. So the Diocese of Augsburg issued the statement: " It is prohibited in the closed time public merrymaking and dancing pleasures. Also of private events of this type to abstain, is the request and admonition of the Church. "Even solemn marriages and large parties were not allowed to take place in closed times, because too large hard effort would not comply with the due seriousness of the times, silent marriages could, however, take place.

During the creative life of Johann Sebastian Bach in Leipzig were from the second to the fourth Sunday of Advent, and on the Sundays of Lent, so from the first Sunday of Lent ( Invocavit ) to Palm Sunday ( Palmarum ) - with the exception of the Solemnity of the Annunciation on 25 March - no extensive church music ( figural music) listed.

In many churches, parishes and communities are in Advent and Lent additional liturgical forms of preparation by the community or groups of believers several times a week or daily word worship ( " early shift ", " late shift " night prayers, prayer services, Bußgottesdienste, Fast devotions and Stations of the Cross devotions ) gather.

In the Protestant Church Passion devotions are celebrated during Lent. Traditionally, the Passion is read consecutively each year after each of the four Gospels. The Passion devotions find most Wednesdays or Fridays as a weekly church services. Whether these devotions include the celebration of Holy Communion in addition to the reading of the Passion, is based on local traditions. Since about 1970, the tradition of the Stations of the Cross devotion has been included in Protestant congregations, especially the ecumenical Way of the Cross Youth has helped.

In some Protestant churches there are in analogy to the Passion devotions and weekly Advent devotions in the four weeks before the Christmas feast.

The respective closed time corresponding - - In various churches and religious institutions are also church music events ( Advent concerts, Passion Music ) and performances ( nativity play, passion play ) presented.