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 water, holy and/or water:
“Public money is like holy water; everyone helps himself to it.”
—Italian proverb, pt. 5, epigraph, Graham Hancock, Lords of Poverty (1989)
“Most holy Satyr,
like a goat,
with horns and hooves
to match thy coat
of russet brown.”
—Hilda Doolittle (1886–1961)
“The night was thick and hazy
When the “Piccadilly Daisy”
Carried down the crew and captain in the sea;
And I think the water downed ‘em;
For they never, never found ‘em,
And I know they didn’t come ashore with me.”
—Charles Edward Carryl (1841–1920)