Editing Ablution in Christianity (section)

==Eucharistic ablutions==
===Western Christian===
{{see also|Tarping|Lavabo|Piscina|Cantharus (Christianity)}}
[[Image:Stift Zwettl Kreuzgang Brunnenhaus 03.JPG|thumb|Fountain in the [[Cantharus (Christianity)|lavatorium]] of the [[Zwettl Abbey]]]]
In the [[Roman Rite]], the celebrant washes his hands before vesting for [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]], but with another prayer (''[[Vesting Prayers|Da, Domine, virtutem]]''). This is said privately in the [[vestry]]. He will then wash his hands again after the [[offertory]]—this is the ceremony that is known as the ''lavabo'' proper. This washing appears in both the [[Tridentine Mass]], the 1962 edition of which is still an authorized [[Summorum Pontificum|extraordinary form of the Roman Rite]], and in the post-Vatican II Mass. The reason for this "second" washing of hands probably developed from the long ceremony of receiving the loaves and vessels of wine from the people at the offertory that was used in Rome.<ref>[[Louis Duchesne|Duchesne, Louis]], ''Origines du Culte chretien'' (Paris, 1898), 167, 443.</ref> In the [[Gallican Rite]] the offerings were prepared before Mass began, as in the Eastern [[Liturgy of Preparation]], so there was no long version of the offertory nor place for a lavabo before the Eucharistic Prayer. In the [[Middle Ages]], the Roman Rite actually had two washing of hands, one before and one after the offertory. This first one has since disappeared, and the one which remains is the second.<ref>{{Citation
 | last =Fortescue
 | first =Adrian 
 | author-link =Adrian Fortescue
 | contribution =Lavabo
 | year =1910
 | title =[[The Catholic Encyclopedia]]
 | volume =IX
 | place =New York
 | publisher =Robert Appleton Company
 | contribution-url = http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09044b.htm
 | access-date =2008-01-14}}</ref>

In the [[Tridentine Mass]], as well as in Lutheran [[Mass (liturgy)#Lutheranism|Masses]] of [[Evangelical Catholic]] churchmanship and in Anglican [[Mass (liturgy)#Anglicanism|Masses]] of [[Anglo-Catholic]] churchmanship, the term "ablutions" refers to when the [[priesthood (Catholic Church)|priest]] rinses his hands first in wine and then in water following the Communion. It is to be distinguished from the [[lavabo]], when the celebrant washes his hands with water only, reciting the words of {{bibleref2|Psalm|26:6–12|KJV}} (KJV—in the [[Septuagint]] it is Psalm 25) at the [[offertory]].

In the common [[Mass of Paul VI]], the [[Lutheran]] [[Divine Service (Lutheran)|Divine Service]] and the [[Anglican]] [[Eucharist]] the priest does not normally use wine to wash his hands at the ablution, although this is permitted, but only water.

===Eastern and Oriental Christian===
[[File:Патриарх всея Руси в Архангельске.JPG|thumb|Patriarch [[Kirill I of Moscow]] washing his hands at the [[Great Entrance]] during an outdoor [[Divine Liturgy]].]]
Prior to praying the [[canonical hours]] at [[fixed prayer times|seven fixed prayer times]], [[Oriental Orthodox Christians]] wash their hands, face and feet (cf. ''[[Agpeya]]'', ''[[Shehimo]]'').<ref name="Smith1909">{{cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=Bertha H. |title=The Bath as a Religious Rite among Mohammedans |journal=Modern Sanitation |date=1909 |volume=7 |issue=1 |publisher=Standard Sanitary Mfg. Co. |language=en |quote=The Copts, descendants of these ancient Egyptians, although Christians, have the custom of washing their hands and faces before prayer, and some also wash their feet.}}</ref><ref name="Amherst1906"/><ref name="Tadros2015"/>

In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Greek-Catholic]] Churches, the term "ablution" refers to consuming the remainder of the Gifts (the Body and Blood of Christ) at the end of the [[Divine Liturgy]]. [[Holy Communion]] is always received in both Species (the Body and the Blood of Christ) not only by the clergy but also by the faithful. This is accomplished by placing the particles of the consecrated [[Lamb (Liturgy)|Lamb]] (bread) into the [[Chalice (cup)|chalice]], and distributing Communion to the faithful with a spoon. The portion which remains in the chalice afterwards must be consumed.

The ablutions will normally be performed by the [[deacon]], but if no deacon is serving the priest will do them. After the [[Ektenia|Litany]] of Thanksgiving that follows Communion, the deacon will come into the [[Altar|sanctuary]] and kneel, placing his forehead on the [[Holy Table]] (Altar) and the priest will bless him to consume the Gifts, which is done at the [[Prothesis (altar)|Prothesis]] (Table of Oblation). First, using the [[Spoon (liturgy)|liturgical spoon]] he will consume all of the Body and Blood of Christ which remain in the chalice. Then he will pour hot water on the [[diskos]] (paten), which is then poured into the chalice and consumed (this is to consume any particles that may remain on the diskos). Next the [[Spear (liturgy)|liturgical spear]], spoon and chalice will be rinsed first with wine and then with hot water, which are then consumed. All of the sacred vessels are then wiped dry with a towel, wrapped in their cloth coverings and put away.
[[File:1 Sanok, Blessing of the holy water at San River.JPG|thumb|Great Blessing of Waters on the [[Sanok]] river on the Day of Theophany]]
Because the ablutions necessarily require consuming the [[Holy Mysteries]] (the [[Body of Christ|Body]] and [[Blood of Christ]]), a priest or deacon may only perform them after having fully prepared himself through [[fasting]] and the lengthy [[Eucharistic discipline#Eastern Orthodox practice|Preparation for Holy Communion]].

When a priest must take Holy Communion to the sick or homebound, if he has not prepared himself to receive the Holy Mysteries, he may ablute the chalice by pouring water into it and asking the one to whom he brought the Sacrament (or a Baptized child who because of their youth is not obliged to prepare for Communion) to consume the ablution.

If the [[Reserved Mysteries]] should become moldy, they must still be consumed in the same manner as the ablutions after Liturgy (normally, a fair amount of wine would be poured over them before consuming them, in order to soften and disinfect them). They should not be burned or buried. To prevent this, when the Mysteries are to be reserved for the sick, they should be thoroughly dried before being placed in the [[Church tabernacle|Tabernacle]].