[source: A Dictionary of Christian Antiquities, p. 

PROSTRATION IN EARLY CHRISTIANITY
Before we proceed it should be explaind that the early church made no 
distinction in language between "kneeling" and "prostration." It is evident that 
men did not kneel upright, but threw themselves more or less forward, so that 
the posture might have either name. Sometimes indeed they so supported 
themselves by putting their hands or arms on the ground, that "kneeling" was a 
position of rest compared with standing. Thus Cassian complains that some 
western monks, when prostrate on the ground, "often wished that sae bowing of 
the limbs (whcih he expressly calls genu flectere) to be prolonged, not so much 
for the sake of prayer as of refreshment" (Instit. li, ii, c. 7). The same 
inference may be drawn from the fact that the third class of public pentinents 
were indifferently called kneelers or prostrators, were said either "genu 
flectere" or "se substernere". Thus in a canon made at Neocaessarea in Pontus 
about A.D. 314, we read, can. v., "Let a cahechumen....who has fallen into sin, 
if he be a kneeler, become a hearer." Similarly the eighty-second canon of the 
so-called fourth council of Carthage held in 398: "Let pentinents (the 
prostrators were especially so called) kneel even on days of relaxation." 
[source: A Dictionary of Christian Antiquities, p. 724]

TERTULLIAN AND WOMEN'S HEAD COVERINGS IN THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
On the other hand, as both the apostolic precept and the custom of the East 
made it indecent for women to be seen with uncovered head, the women of the 
Oriental and African churches covered their heads not only in the congregation, 
but generally when they appeared in public. The breaking in upon this custom 
led Tertullian to write his treatise "De Virginibus Velandis," in which he 
contends that not only matrons, but maidens - who had been allowed a somewhat 
greater license - should cover their heads effectually. He is especially 
severe (c. 17) on those who wore a simple band or fillet, which did not cover 
the top of the head; or laid a mere slip of linen of the top of the head, which 
did not reach even to the ears; he insists that the veil or head covering should 
at any rate come down to meet the top of the dress; the whole space which would 
be covered by one hair if it were let down should be covered by the veill and he 
holds up for admiration and imitation the Arab women, who so covered the head and 
face as to leave only one eye visible...But most of all does he inveigh against 
those women who, even when psalms are said and the name of God named, continued 
uncovered, or with veils thrown back (recetae perseverant); who even in prayer 
fancied themselves covered with a strip of lace or fringe on the top of the 
head. But Tertullian's rigorous views were not those of the Church at large; as 
a general rule Christian women have worn the head-dresses of their country and 
station, and have covered their heads in the place of assembly. 
[source: A Dictionary of Christian Antiquities, p. 761]