In the Christian tradition, self-flagellation is regarded as one of the methods of asceticism and penance, where intense physical punishment is seen as a path to spiritual purification.

Self-Flagellation in Christian Tradition: Practices and Contexts

In the Christian tradition, self-flagellation is regarded as one of the methods of asceticism and penance, where intense physical punishment is seen as a path to spiritual purification. There are several directions and forms of self-torture, each with its own specificity and historical context.

First, in the historical context, ascetics used self-flagellation alongside other methods of bodily suffering (for example, lying on hard surfaces, exhausting oneself with labor, and even crawling to holy places). As noted in one source, "the body must become a source of burdens and torments, not of light and cheap sensual pleasures," which implies the deliberate infliction of pain on oneself in order to sever ties with sensory pleasures and awaken inner experience (source: link txt).

Second, a difference is noticeable between Eastern and Western Christian traditions. In the Patristic writings of Eastern Christianity, ascetic feats did not extend to the conscious infliction of sharp pain or wounds on oneself; even flagellation and bloodshed were not widespread (source: link txt). In contrast, in the West—from the Italian hermit movement to medieval orders—self-flagellation became widespread as a means of expiating sins.

Third, within the framework of monastic life and the organizational rules of monasteries, systematic forms of self-flagellation were sometimes introduced. For example, in the early 11th century, Cardinal Peter Domianni developed a system of penance, strictly calculated arithmetically, in which flagellation was regarded as a special form of asceticism (source: link txt). Another example is the practice in the Benedictine order and later in other Western Christian orders, where self-flagellation was used as a measure of spiritual punishment. Dominic Loricatus, who accepted the penances of others, applied "three thousand lashes with a whip," equated to one year of penance (source: link txt).

Finally, the historical mass movement of flagellants also represents a manifestation of self-flagellation. During periods of religious fervor, tens of thousands of believers publicly repented their sins through excruciating self-torture, loudly calling for God’s mercy and praising the sufferings of Christ and the torments of His Mother (source: link txt).

Thus, the forms of self-flagellation in the Christian tradition are diverse, encompassing both individual ascetic practices within monastic settings and mass exhibitions within popular movements. They involve the deliberate infliction of physical pain through whipping, as well as other forms of bodily suffering intended to detach a person from sensual pleasures and stimulate spiritual renewal.

Supporting citations:
"Thus originates in the practices of historical religions this cathartic treatment of one’s own body: ascetic torture directed at oneself. ... The body must become a source of burdens and torments, not of light and cheap sensual pleasures..." (source: link txt)

"It is interesting to take a closer look at the nature of asceticism presented in the Patrology. ... In Western Europe, self-flagellation became widely prevalent since the times of the Italian hermit movement in the 10th–11th centuries." (source: link txt)

"... But often, asceticism took on a specific direction. Flagellation, including self-flagellation, gained popularity as a form of asceticism. Thus, in the early 11th century, Cardinal Peter Domianni created a system of penance, strictly calculated arithmetically." (source: link txt)

"From the depths of popular life grew this religious movement, organically linked with the activities and preaching of St. Francis of Assisi. ... when tens of thousands of people, in an irresistible flow over the course of months, publicly repented their sins, loudly calling for God’s mercy and praising the sufferings of Christ and the torments of His Mother." (source: link txt)

"Whip punishment was applied in the early days of monasticism in the East; in the West, bloody executions continued until the Middle Ages. Among the Benedictines, and later in other orders, self-flagellation was applied, ... Dominic Loricatus ... three thousand lashes with a whip were equated to a year of penance." (source: link txt)