It is kept in church in a special movable vessel or in a permanent holy water stoop. Probably the earliest example of this stoop came from Tunis, and dates from about the fifth century. RealencyklaWie der chriatlichen Alterhimer, ii. Perhaps in the catacombs vessels of holy water were placed to protect the dead from evil spirits. The Greek Church maintains the close connection between holy water and baptismal water.
Orientals practise also the blessing of rivers or the sea.
This document is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College. Last updated on June 13, 2000.