Note 15 — CHAP. I.
Reading edition
Footnote 15:
(return)
As the ancient Roman houses had an impluvium in the midst of the atrium, so in the atria annexed to the Christian churches was one or more fountains (Eus. Eccl. Hist. l. X, c. 4) and sometimes a well or cistern. In these the faithful used to wash their hands (Tertull. De orat. §, De lavat. man.) Thus in the atrium of St. Paul's basilica there was a cantharus, restored by Pope Leo I, of which the saint writes thus to Ennodius;
Quisque suis meritis veneranda sacraria Pauli Ingrederis, supplex ablue fonte manus.
The cantharus is mentioned by Virgil Eclog. VI, 21.
Et gravis adtritâ pendebat cantharus ansa.
A large vessel of this description may be seen in the cortili of S. Cecilia and SS. Apostoli at Rome. It used to be blessed on the vigil or festival of the Epiphany, as it is now in the Greek and even the Roman church. When churches were built without atria, a vessel of blessed water was placed inside the church: in some of the older churches there is even a well. See Nibby, Dissert. sulla forma, etc. delle antiche chiese.