Holy kiss

The holy kiss is a traditional Christian greeting. The term comes from the New Testament, where it appears five times.
It is mentioned in:
* Romans 16.16a — "Greet one another with a holy kiss" (Greek: ).
* I Corinthians 16.20b — "Greet one another with a holy kiss" (Greek: ).
* II Corinthians 13.12a — "Greet one another with a holy kiss" (Greek: ).
* I Thessalonians 5.26 — "Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss" (Greek: ).
* I Peter 5.14a — "Greet one another with a kiss of love" (Greek: ).
Superficially, there was nothing new in the practice of Christians greeting one another with a kiss: cheek kissing was the normal way that men in the ancient western Mediterranean would greet one another. However, the New Testament's emphasis on its being a holy and love (agapē) kiss meant that it quickly developed into something more than a greeting. 
The writings of the early church fathers speak of the holy kiss, which was already part of the Eucharist, occurring after the Lord's Prayer. Augustine, for example, speaks of it in one of his Easter Sermons: 
In this way it still remains a part of the worship in traditional churches (Eastern Christianity, Roman Catholic Church and liturgical Protestant churches), where it is often called the kiss of peace or sign of peace, or simply peace or pax.
The Latin term translated as "sign of peace" is simply pax ("peace"), not signum pacis ("sign of peace") nor osculum pacis ("kiss of peace"). So the invitation by the deacon, or in his absence by the priest, "Let us offer each other the sign of peace", is in Latin: Offerte vobis pacem ("Offer each other peace" or "Offer each other the peace").
Presently, the greeting is not normally shared as a kiss in English-speaking cultures, but by shaking hands or performing some other greeting gesture (such as an embrace) more in tune with the culture and time. In fact, handshaking, which can seem quite prosaic today, was popularised by Quakers as a sign of equality under God, rather than stratified system of etiquette of seventeenth century England. One could even say that the handshake greeting is also of biblical origin: it is mentioned in Galatians 2.9d: "They gave me and Barnabas their right hands of fellowship" (Greek: ).
In the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, also known as the Tridentine Mass, the sign of peace is exchanged only among the sacred ministers and clergy. The sign of peace is given by the celebrant to the deacon, who in turn gives it to the subdeacon, who gives the sign to any other clergy present in choir dress. In this context, the sign of peace is given by extending both arms in a slight embrace with the words "Pax tecum' (Peace be with you).
In the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite of the Mass the sign of peace, if used, is exchanged shortly before Holy Communion, following the Lord's Prayer and the Agnus Dei. The instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum of 25 March 2004 explains: "According to the tradition of the Roman Rite, this practice does not have the connotation either of reconciliation or of a remission of sins, but instead signifies peace, communion and charity before the reception of the Most Holy Eucharist."Redemptionis Sacramentum, 71
The manner prescribed is as follows: "It is appropriate that each one give the sign of peace only to those who are nearest and in a sober manner. The Priest may give the sign of peace to the ministers but always remains within the sanctuary, so as not to disturb the celebration. He does likewise if for a just reason he wishes to extend the sign of peace to some few of the faithful."Redemptionis Sacramentum, 72
Different Protestant, Reformed and Restorationist churches have readopted the holy kiss either metaphorically (in that members extend a pure, warm welcome that is referred to as a holy kiss) or literally (in that members kiss one another). This practice is particularly important among many Anabaptist sects.
==References==
==External links==
* Kiss, Holy in Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online
* Kiss – Catholic Encyclopedia
Category:Greetings
Category:Christian symbols
Category:Peace
Category:Christian liturgy, rites, and worship services
Category:Eastern Christian liturgy
Category:Catholic liturgy
Category:Lutheran liturgy and worship
Category:Christian behaviour and experience
Category:Biblical phrases
Category:Anabaptism
es:Saludo de paz
pl:Znak pokoju
pt:Ósculo Santo