Holy water is water that, in Catholicism, Anglicanism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Oriental Orthodoxy, and some other churches, has been sanctified by a priest for the purpose of baptism; the blessing of persons, places, and objects; or as a means of repelling evil.
The use for baptism and spiritual cleansing is common among several religions, from Christianity to Sikhism and Hinduism. The use of holy water as a sacramental for protection against evil is almost exclusive to Roman Catholics.
Read more about Holy Water: In Non-Christian Religions, Unofficial Uses
Famous quotes containing the words holy and/or water:
“Most holy Satyr,
like a goat,
with horns and hooves
to match thy coat
of russet brown.”
—Hilda Doolittle (1886–1961)
“Iron which is not whetted will grow rusty; water which does not flow will become stagnant.”
—Chinese proverb.