FERULA, a little wooden pallet or slice, reputed the schoolmaster's sceptre, wherewith he chastises the boys, by striking them on the palm of the hand. The word is Latin, and has also been used to denote the prelate's crozier and staff. It is supposed to be formed of the Latin ferire, "to strike." Under the eastern empire, the ferula was the emperor's sceptre, as is seen on divers medals: it consists of a long stem or shank, and a flat square head. The use of the ferula is very ancient among the Greeks, who used to call their princes ferulabearers, q. d. "ferula-bearers."
In the ancient eastern church, ferula or narthex signified a place separated from the church; wherein the penitents or the catechumens of the second order, called anscultantes, αποσκούτατοι, were kept, as not being allowed to enter the church; whence the name of the place, the persons therein being under penance or discipline: sub ferula erant ecclesiae.