Holy Water | Definition, Uses, & Traditions - Britannica

Home » What Makes Holy Water Holy » Holy Water | Definition, Uses, & Traditions - Britannica

Maybe your like

Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos holy water Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics Images cast bronze baptismal font For Students Christ as Ruler, with the Apostles and Evangelists (represented by the beasts). The female figures are believed to be either Santa Pudenziana and Santa Praxedes or symbols of the Jewish and Gentile churches. Mosaic in the apse of Santa Pudenziana, Rome,A Pop Quiz: 19 Things to Know About Christianity Quizzes Holy week. Easter. Valladolid. Procession of Nazarenos carry a cross during the Semana Santa (Holy week before Easter) in Valladolid, Spain. Good Friday Christianity Quiz Contents Philosophy & Religion Religious Beliefs
cast bronze baptismal font
cast bronze baptismal font Cast bronze baptismal font by Renier de Huy, 1107–18. In the church of Saint-Barthélemy, Liège, Belgium. Height 64 cm. (more)
holy water Christianity Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Print Cite verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/holy-water Feedback External Websites Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
  • The Catholic Encyclopedia - Holy Water
Ask the Chatbot a Question Written and fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot

holy water, in Christianity, water that has been blessed by a member of the clergy and is used in baptism and to bless individuals, churches, homes, and articles of devotion. A natural symbol of purification, water has been used by religious peoples as a means of removing uncleanness, either ritual or moral. Holy water is used in Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, certain Lutheran synods, Anglicanism, and various other churches.

Related Topics: Christianity ceremonial object (Show more) See all related content

In the early Christian community the “living” water of rivers and streams was preferred for baptism and apparently received no special blessing. By the time of the 4th century the still waters of the baptismal font or pool were exorcised and blessed with the sign of the cross. Other water was blessed for the use of the faithful as a means of warding off the unclean spirit and as a safeguard against sickness and disease. In the course of time, this blessed, or holy, water was used as a reminder of baptism by the faithful on entering the church and by the celebrant in sprinkling the congregation before certain Sunday masses. In Eastern Orthodoxy, holy water is commonly imbibed by the faithful after it has been blessed.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.

Tag » What Makes Holy Water Holy