ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

Holy Water

Holy water, also known as sanctified water or agiasma, refers to water that has been consecrated in the tradition of Christianity through various rituals and ceremonies. The use of holy water dates back to the second century AD and is connected with both the Gospel story about the baptism of Christ in the waters of the Jordan River and Old Testament liturgical traditions.

The concept of holy water originated from the idea that water was considered sacred, as it represented the beginning of creation (Genesis 1:2). In Christianity, this notion is further reinforced by the biblical account of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River, where he was anointed with the Holy Spirit and light shone out of the waters. This event marked the beginning of his public ministry and the spread of the Gospel.

Throughout history, holy water has been used for various purposes, including purification, consecration, and blessing. The tradition of venerating water collected on the day of Epiphany was known in several churches, including the Church of Alexandria, where this holiday was first celebrated. Saint John Chrysostom described a practice where people would bring home the water they had drawn from the well or fountain on that day and keep it for an entire year.

In the early Christian church, holy water was used to consecrate houses, as mentioned in the apocryphal Acts of the Apostle Peter. The use of consecrated water before baptism is also documented in the late II-early III centuries AD. Saint Epiphanius of Cyprus wrote about this practice in his work "Against Heresies" (Panarion) in the 70s of the IV century.

The Catholic Church attributes the precept of using holy water to the Apostle Matthew, who is said to have introduced this custom. The Constitutions of Archbishop Edmund Rich (1236) prescribe that fonts should be kept under lock and key due to concerns about witchcraft. By blessing water, Catholic priests praise God and ask for his grace.

In Roman Catholic tradition, the aspergillum is a pin or branch used to sprinkle holy water on people's bodies during certain rituals, such as baptismal ceremonies. The aspersorium is the vessel that holds the holy water and in which the aspergillum is dipped. This practice has been documented since ancient times, with elaborate examples from the Ottonian period.

In Eastern Orthodox tradition, the use of holy water is also an important aspect of worship. During the Divine