Anglicanism & Holy Water

Discussion in 'Liturgy, and Book of Common Prayer' started by Silvan, Jul 6, 2021.

  1. Silvan

    Silvan Active Member

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  2. Rexlion

    Rexlion Well-Known Member

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    We have a font near the back of our narthex. Some folks dip their fingertips in the water to make the sign of the cross when entering or leaving, and some folks don't. It's up to the individual. I think that's probably how it is in most Anglican churches.

    By comparison, when I was RC (30 years ago) it was pretty much standard practice for everyone.

    My personal feeling: to me it's just water. But I don't begrudge anyone who feels that it is more.
     
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  3. Silvan

    Silvan Active Member

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    So I remember it also when I was a boy. Everybody did it.
     
  4. PDL

    PDL Well-Known Member Anglican

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    I think as with anything else Anglican it depends on what flavour you are.

    I'm Anglo-Catholic and we have water stoups at the church door for you to dip your finger in and then sign yourself on the way in. Of course, it's not mandatory. At the moment the water stoups are kept empty because of the Virus. The rather silly rector of our church used to fill the water stoups with sand during Lent! Of course he hasn't be able to do that now for two Lents on a row. I'm sure he'll re-introduce it next year.:thumbsdown:
     
  5. Othniel

    Othniel Active Member Typist

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    Is there a significance to the sand?
     
  6. bwallac2335

    bwallac2335 Well-Known Member

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    During a Baptism we were told we could dip our fingers in Holy Water and make the Sign of the Cross as a commemoration of our Baptism
     
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  7. Silvan

    Silvan Active Member

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    Such was the norm when one entered a Catholic church anywhere.
     
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  8. bwallac2335

    bwallac2335 Well-Known Member

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    I have to ask is your name a Tokien reference?
     
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  9. Silvan

    Silvan Active Member

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    You mean my nickname?
    Well, Silvan is a real first name - referring to the forest.
    Could be seen as "man from the forest".
    As I am from the Black Forest, that is fitting.

    My own name is Bernhard = Bernard - and shortened to Bernd here.
     
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  10. bwallac2335

    bwallac2335 Well-Known Member

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    Oh in Tolkiens writings the Silvan elves were wood elves.
     
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  11. Silvan

    Silvan Active Member

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    "silva" is the Latin word for wood or forest. :)
     
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  12. PDL

    PDL Well-Known Member Anglican

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    It is supposed to remind of the desert through which we journey through Lent. It completely misses the point of Lent.
     
  13. PDL

    PDL Well-Known Member Anglican

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    I've never seen that done. However, as we have holy water stoups at the church doors I suppose that's unnecessary.