History

16 Aug 1838

Lorenzo Warriner Pease, the first American missionary to Cyprus, learnt of the custom of sanctifying the water

Lorenzo Warriner Pease, the first American missionary to Cyprus, learnt of the custom of sanctifying the water:

Mrs. Ladd wrote us that they attended the church at Lefkara, in the morning when the cross was dipped into the water. It seems that it is the first of the Greek month when the priests sanctify the water for the purpose of sanctifying the houses. The water is sanctified by any relics which may be found in the church, such as old bones of saints, pieces of the true cross etc. When the house is sprinkled, it is supposed that if a child blasphemes, no harm will befall him, while if it is not sprinkled, woe betide him.