Editing Ablution in Christianity (section)

=== 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"/>