Editing Ablution in Christianity (section)

== Ablution in the Christian traditions ==
[[Image:Gondar Fasiladas Bath Timket.jpg|thumb|Crowds gather at the Fasiladas' bath in Ethiopia, to celebrate [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]]]]
Traditionally, Christianity adhered to the biblical regulation requiring the purification of women after childbirth; this practice, was adapted into a special ritual known as the [[churching of women]], for which there exists liturgy in the [[Church of England]]'s [[Book of Common Prayer]], but its use is now rare in [[Western Christianity]]. The churching of women is still performed in a number of [[Eastern Christianity|Eastern Christian]] churches ([[Eastern Orthodox]], [[Oriental Orthodox]] and [[Eastern Catholic]] churches).

[[Oriental Orthodox Churches]] such as the [[Coptic Orthodox Church|Coptic Orthodox]], [[Ethiopian Orthodox]], [[Eritrean Orthodox]], places a heavier emphasis on Old Testament teachings, and its followers adhere to certain practices such as observing days of [[ritual purification]].<ref>{{cite book |author1=[[Ian Bradley]] |title=Water: A Spiritual History |date=2 November 2012 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-4411-6767-5 |language=English|quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last= H. Bulzacchelli|first=Richard|title=Judged by the Law of Freedom: A History of the Faith-works Controversy, and a Resolution in the Thought of St. Thomas Aquinas|publisher=[[University Press of America]]|year=2006|isbn=9780761835011|pages=19|quote=The Ethiopian and Coptic Churches distinguishes between clean and unclean meats, observes days of ritual purification, and keeps a kind of dual Sabbath on both Saturday and Sunday.}}</ref> Before praying, they wash their hands and face in order to be clean before and present their best to God.<ref name="Amherst1906"/><ref name="Dawood2013">{{cite web |last1=Dawood |first1=Bishoy |title=Stand, Bow, Prostrate: The Prayerful Body of Coptic Christianity |url=https://www.clarionreview.org/2013/12/stand-bow-prostrate-the-prayerful-body-of-coptic-christianity/ |publisher=The Clarion Review |access-date=6 August 2020 |language=en |date=8 December 2013 |quote=Standing facing the East is the most frequent prayer position. ... This is further emphasized in the fact that Copts pray facing the East, waiting for the return of Jesus in glory; his return as the enthroned Pantocrator is portrayed in the iconography that is placed before the worshippers. |archive-date=10 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810085554/http://www.clarionreview.org/2013/12/stand-bow-prostrate-the-prayerful-body-of-coptic-christianity/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church]] prescribes several kinds of [[hand washing]] for example after leaving the latrine, lavatory or bathhouse, or before prayer, or after eating a meal.<ref name=judaic></ref> The women in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church are prohibited from entering the church temple during [[menses]]; and the men do not enter a church the day after they have had intercourse with their wives.<ref name="eotc.faithweb.com"/>
[[File:RIAN archive 550901 Epiphany celebration in Maritime Territory.jpg|thumb|In traditionally Orthodox nations, water, baptismal rites and rituals of purification are typically central to [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]] celebration]]
[[Roman Catholics]], Eastern Orthodox, [[Lutheran]]s and [[High church]] [[Anglican]]s are also traditionally required to regularly attend [[Confession (religion)|confession]], as a form of ritual purification from [[sin]], especially as [[Eucharistic discipline|preparation before]] receiving the [[Eucharist]]. For Catholics, this is required at least once a year and required for those who are guilty of unconfessed [[mortal sin]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Code of Canon Law, canon 989 |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3H.HTM |access-date=1 May 2017 |publisher=Vatican.va}}</ref>

In [[Reformed tradition]], [[ritual purity]] is achieved through the Confession of Sins, and Assurance of Forgiveness, and [[Sanctification]]. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers offer their whole being and labor as a 'living sacrifice'; and cleanliness becomes a way of life (See Romans 12:1, and John 13:5–10 (the Washing of the Feet).

In [[Anabaptist Christianity]] (inclusive of [[Mennonites]], [[Amish]], [[Hutterites]], [[Bruderhof]], [[Schwarzenau Brethren]], [[River Brethren]] and [[Apostolic Christian Church|Apostolic Christians]]), [[footwashing]] is regularly practiced as an ordinance, in obedience to Jesus' command in {{Bibleverse|John|13:1-17|KJV}}.<ref name="AMN2022">{{cite web |title=Feetwashing in the Church of the Brethren |url=https://amnetwork.uk/resource/feetwashing-in-the-church-of-the-brethren/ |publisher=Anabaptist Mennonite Network |access-date=3 May 2022 |language=English}}</ref>

=== Washing before Christian prayer and worship ===
[[File:Roma - Basilica di Santa Cecilia in Trastevere - 2023-09-15 08-42-04 001.png|thumb|[[Cantharus (Christianity)|Cantharus]] of [[Santa Cecilia in Trastevere]]]]
The [[Christianity in the ante-Nicene period|early Church]] practiced [[footwashing]], in addition to the [[Holy Kiss]], prior to reception of the [[Eucharist]].<ref name="Stutzman">{{cite book |last1=Stutzman |first1=Paul Fike |title=Recovering the Love Feast: Broadening Our Eucharistic Celebrations |date=1 January 2011 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-4982-7317-6 |language=English}}</ref> The early Christian apologist [[Tertullian]] referenced a basin "of water for the saints' feet", and a "linen towel", used during their "[[imitation of Christ|imitation of the feetwashing performed by Christ]]."<ref name="Stutzman"/> The early Church Father [[Clement of Alexandria]] linked the new sandals given by to [[Prodigal Son]] with feetwashing, describing "non-perishable shoes that are only fit to be worn by those who have had their feet washed by Jesus, the Teacher and Lord."<ref name="Stutzman"/> The early Church thus saw footwashing to be connected to [[Repentance in Christianity|repentance]], involving a spiritual cleansing by Jesus.<ref name="Stutzman"/>

A [[cantharus (Christianity)|cantharus]] is a fountain used by [[Christians|Christian]]s for ablution before entering a [[church (building)|church]].<ref name="Bradley2012" /><ref name="Soloviĭ68">{{cite book |last1=Soloviĭ |first1=Meletiĭ M. |title=Eastern Liturgical Theology: General Introduction |date=1970 |publisher=Ukrainian Catholic Religion and Culture Society of Etobicoke (Toronto) and Ukrainian Catholic Youth of Canada |page=68 |language=en |quote=In the Book of Exodus (30, 18–20) Aaron and his sons were required to wash before approaching the altar. Here water is used as a symbol of purification and expiation. But water is also the most common and most indispensable drink. ... So much was the practice a part of the life of the early Church, that in the period after Constantine the "cantharus", or water fountain, became a standard fixture in the courtyard before the basilica to permit the faithful to purify themselves before entering the presence of God.}}</ref><ref name="Bingham1849">{{cite book |last1=Bingham |first1=Joseph |title=The antiquities of the Christian Church |date=1840 |publisher=W. Straker |page=396 |language=en |quote=In the middle of which stood a Fountain for washing as they entered into the Church, called Cantharus and Phiala in some authors. It is further to be noted, that in the middle of the atrium, there was commonly a fountain, or a cistern of water, for people to wash their hands and face, before they went into the church.}}</ref> These ablutions involve the washing of the hands, head, and feet.<ref name="Bingham1849"/> The cantharus is traditionally located in the [[narthex|exonarthex]] of the church.<ref name="Soloviĭ68"/><ref name="Ferguson2013"/> The water emitted by a cantharus is to be running water.<ref name="Lowrie1901">{{cite book |last1=Lowrie |first1=Walter |title=Christian Art and Archæology: Being a Handbook to the Monuments of the Early Church |date=1901 |publisher=[[Macmillan Publishers]] |page=179 |language=en |quote=In the middle of this court there was as a rule a fountain of running water (the ''cantharus'') for the symbolical purification of those who ere about to enter the church.}}</ref> The practice of ablutions before prayer and worship in Christianity [[Christian symbolism|symbolizes]] "separation from sins of the spirit and surrender to the Lord."<ref name="Ferguson2013"/> [[Eusebius]] recorded this practice of canthari located in the courtyards of churches, for the faithful to wash themselves (especially the hands and feet) before entering a Christian house of worship.<ref name="Stutzman"/><ref name="Bingham1849"/> The practice has its origins Jewish practice of performing ablutions before entering into the presence of God (cf. {{Bibleverse|Exodus|30:17–21|KJV}}).<ref name="Soloviĭ68"/><ref name="Bradley2012"/> Though canthari are not as prevalent anymore in [[Western Christianity]], they are found in [[Eastern Christianity|Eastern Christian]] and [[Oriental Christianity|Oriental Christian]] churches.<ref name="Bradley2012"/>