Unwoke Duffy

In the non-denominational sect of Protestantism I grew up in, we also believed this. When he told the thief on the cross "today you will be with me in Paradise" he was referring to "north-of-the-tracks-Sheol" A suburban of Hell.

Is the three day journey into hell prior to the resurrection not a thing in most branches of Protestantism? I was unaware of this.

Was definitely not believed/taught in SoCal evangelical world I grew up in. The reformers, as far as I know, affirmed the doctrine and more confessionally oriented, conservative prots prob still hold to it.

I thought that the 'harrowing of hell' was just (mainstream) theological speculation, not something that people were obligated to believe

I don't know if Rome has an official line on that, but in Orthodoxy it's as absolutely taught as the rest of the resurrection (our main icon for Pascha depicts the harrowing, Holy Saturday liturgical hymnography is all about it etc.)

It is in the creed after all, that's a fair bit beyond even approved speculation.

The #ApostlesCreed says only that, having been crucified, Jesus went to Hades, not that he emptied it of all departed believers.

It’s implied thru scripture and explicitly professed by the Fathers.

Those Scripture passages teach the former, but not the latter proposition.

Not just Catholic dogma: in plain text in sola scriptura if only the sola scriptura guys could comprehend it.

Little rusty on my scripture, how long did Jesus stay doen there?

From some time before nightfall on Good Friday to some time before daybreak on Easter Day.