Content deleted Content added
m move ref to text Tags: Mobile edit Mobile app edit iOS app edit App section source |
|||
| (317 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown) | |||
Line 1:
{{Short description|Church furniture holding water for baptism}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
[[File:Grötlingbo kyrka dopfunt.jpg|thumb|A [[Romanesque art|Romanesque]] baptismal font from [[Grötlingbo Church]], Sweden, carved by [[Sigraf]], a master stone sculptor who specialised in baptismal fonts.]]
[[File:Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral Houston interior 2018e.jpg|thumb|A modern baptismal font in the [[Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (Houston)|Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart]] in [[Houston]], constructed in 2008]]
A '''baptismal font''' is an [[Church architecture|ecclesiastical architectural element]], which serves as a receptacle for baptismal water used for [[baptism]], as a part of Christian initiation for both rites of [[Infant baptism|infant]] and [[Believer's baptism|adult baptism]].<ref>{{Cite web|title= New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia, Baptismal Font|url= https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02274a.htm|access-date=2023-10-06}}</ref>
==Aspersion and affusion fonts==
The earliest western fonts are found in the [[Catacombs of Rome]]. The fonts of many western [[Christian denomination]]s that practice [[infant baptism]] are
[[File:Baptismal Font Cover, Church of the Good Shepherd.jpg|left|thumb|Detail of carved baptismal font cover (created 1930s), Episcopal [[Church of the Good Shepherd (Rosemont, Pennsylvania)]]]]
Fonts are often placed at or near the entrance to a [[Church (building)|church's]] [[nave]] to remind believers of their baptism as they enter the church to pray, since the [[Rites of passage#Religious initiation rites|rite]] of baptism served as their initiation into the Church. In Lutheran churches, the baptismal font may be located in the [[chancel]] near the altar to serve as a testament to [[Lutheran sacraments|Lutheran sacramental theology]].<ref>{{Cite web|title= What Lutherans Teach about the Sacraments|url= https://blog.cph.org/read/everyday-faith/what-lutherans-teach/what-lutherans-teach-about-using-the-sacraments|access-date=2023-10-07}}</ref>
In many churches of the [[Middle Ages]] and [[Renaissance]], there was a special [[chapel]] or even a separate building for housing the baptismal fonts, called a [[baptistery]]. Both [[:no:Fil:Døpefont Fra 1715 Thomas Blix av tre, formet som et barn som bærer en skål på hodet.jpg|fonts]] and baptisteries were often [[octagon]]al (eight-sided), octagonal fonts becoming more common from the 13th century and the norm from the 14th century.<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Font |volume=10 |page=605 |first=Robert Alexander Stewart |last=Macalister}}</ref> [[Saint Ambrose]] wrote that fonts and baptisteries were octagonal "because on the eighth day,{{efn|The sixth day of [[Holy Week]] was [[Good Friday]]; the following Sunday (of the [[resurrection]]) was thus the eighth day.<ref name=Huyser-Konig/>}} by rising, Christ loosens the bondage of death and receives the dead from their graves".<ref name="Kuehn1992">{{Cite book |last=Kuehn |first=Regina |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sf2hmbe1J30C&pg=PA53 |title=A Place for Baptism |publisher=Liturgy Training Publications |year=1992 |isbn=978-0-929650-00-5 |pages=53–60}}</ref><ref name="Huyser-Konig">{{Cite web |last=Huyser-Konig |first=Joan |date=12 May 2006 |title=Theological Reasons for Baptistry Shapes |url=http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/theological-reasons-for-baptistry-shapes/ |access-date=30 October 2015 |publisher=Calvin Institute of Christian Worship}}</ref>
[[Saint Augustine]] similarly described the eighth day as "everlasting... hallowed by the [[resurrection]] of Christ".<ref name=Kuehn1992/><ref>{{cite wikisource |author=Augustine of Hippo |author-link=Augustine of Hippo |title=The City of God |wslink=Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series I/Volume II/City of God/Book XXII/Chapter 30 |year=426 |page=Book 22, Chapter 30}}</ref>
The quantity of water is usually small. There are some fonts where water pumps, a natural spring, or gravity keeps the water moving to mimic the moving waters of a stream. This visual and audible image communicates a "living waters" aspect of baptism. Some [[Christian liturgy|liturgical]] church bodies use consecrated [[holy water]] for the purpose of baptism, while others will use water straight out of the tap to fill the font.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Liturgical Use of Water|url= https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15564a.htm|access-date=2023-10-07}}</ref> A special silver vessel called a [[ewer]] can be used to fill the font. Most baptismal fonts have covers to prevent water from evaporating and to protect baptismal water against contamination.
The mode of a baptism at a font is usually one of sprinkling, pouring, washing, or dipping in keeping with the [[Koine Greek]] verb βαπτίζω. Βαπτίζω can also mean "immerse", but most fonts are too small for that application. Some fonts are large enough to allow the immersion of infants, however.
===Regional types===
In certain regions of England, a common historic type of font design can be identified. In [[South East England]] the "Aylesbury font" can be seen in several churches in [[Buckinghamshire]] and the surrounding area. These fonts, which date from the late 12th Century around the years 1170 to 1190, are typically chalice-shaped, ornately carved around the rim with fluting below, and are considered fine examples of English [[Norman architecture]]. They are named after the font found in [[St Mary the Virgin's Church, Aylesbury|the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Aylesbury]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Pevsner |first1=Nikolaus |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p52JrsA0HG8C&q=%22aylesbury%20font%22&pg=PA40 |title=Buckinghamshire |last2=Williamson |first2=Elizabeth |last3=Brandwood |first3=Geoffrey K. |date=1994 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-09584-5 |page=40 |language=en |access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Batty |first=Robert Eaton |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9BQEAAAAQAAJ&q=Batty%20's%20History%20of%20Baptismal%20Fonts&pg=PT2 |title=Some particulars connected with the history of baptismal fonts |date=1848 |page=33 |language=en |access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref> Other identifiable types include the [[Early English (architecture)|Early English]] "table-top" font, also found in Buckinghamshire; the "Bodmin font" in [[Cornwall]], the "Seven Sacrament fonts" in [[East Anglia]]; and "Chalice fonts" in [[Herefordshire]].<ref name="Harris">{{Cite book |last=Harris |first=Brian L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bBj6l7e-kAoC&q=%22aylesbury%20fonts%22&pg=PA205 |title=Harris's Guide to Churches and Cathedrals: Discovering the Unique and Unusual in Over 500 Churches and Cathedrals |date=2006 |publisher=Ebury |isbn=978-0-09-191251-2 |page=205 |language=en |access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref>
In Northern Europe, baroque font covers in the shape of a floating angel which are hung vertically from the ceiling of the [[Choir (architecture)|choir]] became fashionable in the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] churches of Germany, Denmark and Sweden during the 17th and 18th centuries. During the baptism ceremony, they were lowered using a pulley which symbolized the angel bringing the baptismal water directly from heaven. <ref>{{Cite web|title= Baptismal Angels in Nordic Lutheran countries|url= https://www.markgrafenkirchen.de/en/knowledge/lexicon/baptismal-angel/|access-date=2023-10-07}}</ref>[[File:Taufengel der Engelkirche Hinterhermsdorf.jpg|right|thumb|Floating baptismal angel of the font of the [[Angel Church, Hinterhermsdorf]] in Germany which gave its name to the church.]]
==Immersion fonts==
The earliest baptismal fonts were designed for full immersion, and were often cross-shaped, usually with three steps to represent Holy Trinity, leading down into the baptismal pool. Often such baptismal pools were located in a separate building, called a [[baptistery]]; however, this baptismal practice was then relocated to be administered near the entrance of the church, mostly nearby the main door to signify entrance to the Church. As [[infant baptism]] became more common, fonts became smaller. Denominations that believe only in [[baptism by full immersion]] tend to use the term "baptismal font" to refer to immersion tanks dedicated for that purpose; however, in the Roman Catholic tradition, a baptismal font differs from an immersion.
Full-immersion baptisms may take place in a man-made tank or pool, or a natural [[Water#Taste and odor|body of water]] such as a river or lake. The entire body is fully immersed, dunked, submerged or otherwise placed completely under the water. This practice symbolizes the death of the old nature, as found in [[Epistle to the Romans|Romans]] {{bibleverse-nb||Romans|6:3-4|KJV}}. In [[Hagia Sophia]], the water was supplied to the baptismal tank from a water tower.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Baptistry of St. Sophia of Constantinople|url= https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/2162413|access-date=2023-10-07}}</ref>
In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], baptism is always by full triple immersion, even in the case of infant baptism (aspersion or pouring is permitted only ''[[List of Latin phrases (F-L)#I|in extremis]]''). For this reason, Eastern baptismal fonts tend to be larger than their Western counterparts and they are usually portable. Eastern Orthodox fonts are often shaped like a large [[chalice (cup)|chalice]] (significant since the Orthodox administer [[Holy Communion]] to infants after baptism), and are normally fashioned out of metal rather than stone or wood. Symbolically, Orthodox baptismal fonts represent the womb of the Church, as well as the [[Tomb of Jesus|tomb of Christ]], since the baptized individual is put into the tomb/womb and is brought out born into a new life in Christ.<ref>{{Cite web|title= The Orthodox Baptismal Font - The Divine Womb|date= 21 October 2021|url= https://blessedcelebration.com/blogs/news/the-orthodox-baptismal-font-the-divine-womb|access-date=2023-10-06}}</ref> During the baptismal service, three candles are lit on or around the baptismal font, in honour of the [[Holy Trinity]]. In many Orthodox churches, a special kind of holy water, called "[[Theophany Water]]", is [[consecration|consecrated]] on the [[Epiphany (feast)|Feast of Theophany]] (Epiphany). The consecration (literally, "Great Blessing") is performed twice: the first time on the eve of the [[Great Feast|feast]], in a baptismal font; the second, on the day of the feast, in a natural body of water.
In the [[Roman Catholic Church]], especially after its [[Second Vatican Council]] (1962–1965), greater attention is being given to the form of the baptismal font. Currently, the Roman Catholic Church encourages baptismal fonts that are suitable for the full immersion of an infant or child, and for at least the pouring of water over the whole body of an adult. The font should be located in a space that is visibly and physically accessible, and should preferably make provision for flowing water.
Baptisms of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] are usually undertaken in a simple font located in a local [[Ward (LDS Church)|meetinghouse]], although they can be performed in any body of water in which the person may be completely immersed. In Latter-day Saint [[Temple (LDS Church)|temples]], where [[Baptism for the dead|proxy baptisms for the dead]] are performed, the fonts rest on the sculptures of twelve oxen representing the twelve tribes of Israel, following the pattern of the [[Molten Sea]] in the [[Temple of Solomon]] (see 2 Chronicles 4:2-5).
==Examples==
===Aspersion and affusion fonts===
<gallery>
File:Baptismal Font Magdeburg.jpg|Octagonal baptismal font in [[Magdeburg Cathedral]], Germany
File:Baptismal font @ RMC.jpg|[[Ship's bell]] as Baptismal font at chapel, Yeo Hall, [[Royal Military College of Canada]]
File:Lenzen Stadtkirche Taufbecken.jpg|Font in a church at [[Lenzen]], Brandenburg, Germany
File:St Roberts Interior 035.jpg|Oval marble font made before 1686, [[St Robert's Church, Pannal]], [[North Yorkshire]]
File:Baptismal font at Ft Michilimackinac.jpg|Baptismal font at [[Fort Michilimackinac]] in [[Mackinaw City, Michigan]]
File:Baptistery St Bartholomew church in Marne Italy.JPG|The baptismal font of [[San Bartolomeo, Marne|Saint Bartholmew parish church]] in [[Marne (Italy)|Marne]], Italy
File:Hedesunda Church font late 13th century in Swedish History Museum Stockholm.jpg|[[Hedesunda]] Church font, late 13th century, in Swedish History Museum, [[Stockholm]]
File:St. John Evangelist Church Interior.jpg|Baptismal font of [[St. John the Evangelist's Anglican Church, İzmir]] in the shape of a [[scallop]]
File:La Baussaine (35) Église 11.jpg|The twin-fonts of Saint-Léon Church of [[La Baussaine]], France
File:Stadtkirche Bremgarten Taufstein.jpg|Baroque baptismal font of Catholic [[City Church of Bremgarten]], [[Aargau|Canton of Aargau]], Switzerland
File:Wolxheim StEtienne 28.JPG|Font of Saint-Étienne Church depicts the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]] as a dove descending, in [[Wolxheim]], France
File:Taufbecken Stadtpfarrkirche Perg.jpg|Gothic baptismal font of Catholic parish church of [[Perg]], Austria
</gallery>
===Immersion fonts===
<gallery>
File:BaptismalFontStRaphaelDubuque.jpg|The baptismal font at [[St. Raphael's Cathedral (Dubuque)|St. Raphael's Cathedral]], [[Dubuque, Iowa]], was expanded in 2005 to include a small pool for immersion of adults.
File:Chapel-font of Optina Elders 02.jpg|Russian Orthodox immersion font in [[Leninsky District, Tula Oblast]], Russia
File:Russian-baptism.JPG|Baptism of an infant in the [[Russian Orthodox Church]] ([[St. Petersburg]])
File:Baptismal-Font-from-Bulgaria.jpg|Tinned copper baptismal font from Bulgaria
File:Salt Lake temple baptismal font.jpg|[[Temple architecture (LDS Church)#The Baptismal Font|Baptismal font]] in the [[Salt Lake Temple]] of the [[LDS Church]], ca. 1912. The twelve oxen supporting the font represent the [[Twelve Tribes of Israel]].
File:Mamodisa kalthotti.jpg|Baptismal font used in [[Malankara Church]] from 11th century AD at [[Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Church]]
File:Baptismal Fountain Saint Nilo Orthodix Abbey in Frascati.jpg|Baptismal Font in the Basilian Monastery of Santa Maria, [[Grottaferrata]] near Frascati, Italy
File:Fonts Baptismaux Cathédrale de Metz.jpg|Font of [[Metz Cathedral]] in [[France]] is an ancient Roman bath converted into a baptismal font
File:Germany Luebeck St Mary baptismal font 1.jpg|Bronze baptismal font of [[St. Mary's Church, Lübeck]], Germany
File:Renier de Huy JPG0.jpg| [[Baptismal font at St Bartholomew's Church, Liège]] sculpted by [[Renier de Huy]] in [[Liège]], Belgium
File:Taufbecken St.Petrus WF 6.5.2023.JPG|Immersion font of St. Petrus Catholic Church in [[Wolfenbüttel]], Germany
File:Eisleben St. Petri & Pauli Taufbrunnen.JPG|Modern immersion font of Evangelical Lutheran St.-Petri-Pauli-Church in [[Eisleben]], Germany
</gallery>
==See also==
* [[
* [[
* [[Mikveh]]
* [[Holy water font]]
* ''[[Nipson anomemata me monan opsin]]''
* [[Church of the priest Félix and baptistry of Kélibia]]
==References==
===Notes===
{{Notelist}}
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}
===Further reading===
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Combe |first1=Thomas |url=https://archive.org/details/illustrationsba00coomgoog |title=Illustrations of baptismal fonts |last2=Paley |first2=Frederick Apthorp |publisher=J. Van Voorst |year=1844 |___location=London |author-link2=Frederick Paley}}
* {{Cite CE1913| volume= 2 |wstitle=Baptismal Font|first=John Bertram |last=Peterson}}
* {{Cite CE1913 |wstitle=Holy Water Fonts |volume=7 |first=Henri |last=Leclercq }}
* {{Cite Collier's|wstitle=Font |short=x}}
* {{Cite book |last=Farrugia |first=David |title=The Rediscovery of the Baptismal Font in the Liturgy |date=2017 |publisher=University of Malta}}
{{refend}}
==External links==
{{Commons and category}}
* [http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/02/display.asp?t1=c&word=CHURCHFURNITURE Church Furniture] article in [[Christian Cyclopedia]]
* [http://www.trabel.com/luik/liege-baptismalfont.htm The Baptismal font of Renier d'Huy in
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baptismal Font}}
[[Category:Baptismal fonts| ]]
[[Category:Baptism]]
[[Category:Church architecture]]
[[Category:Christian worship and liturgy]]
[[Category:Christian terminology]]
| |||