Apiscina is a shallow basin placed near thealtar of achurch, or else in thevestry orsacristy, used for washing thecommunion vessels. Thesacrarium is the drain itself. Lutherans and Anglicans usually refer to the basin, calling it a piscina.[1] For Catholics and Lutherans, a sacrarium is "special sink used for the reverent disposal of sacred substances. This sink has a cover, a basin, and a special pipe and drain that empty directly into the earth, rather than into the sewer system" (USCCB, Built of Living Stones, 236).[1] Precious or sacred items are disposed of, when possible, by returning them to the ground. They are in some cases used to dispose of materials used in the sacraments and water from liturgical ablutions. They are found inCatholic,Anglican, andLutheran churches, and a similar vessel is used inEastern Orthodox churches.
Thepiscina is aLatin word originally applied to afish pond, and later used for natural or artificialpools forbathing, and also for a water tank orreservoir.[2] Inecclesiastical usage it was applied to the basin used forablutions and sometimes other sacraments.
They were originally named for the baptismal font.[3] Piscinae seem at first to have been mere cups or small basins, supported on perforated stems, placed close to the wall, and afterwards to have been recessed therein and covered withniche heads, which often contained shelves to serve asambries. They were rare inEngland until the 13th century, after which there is scarcely an altar without one. They frequently take the form of a double niche, with a shaft between thearched heads, which are often filled with elaborate tracery.[2] If there is no drain, a niche for washing is alavabo, though the usage of the two terms is confusing.
The purpose of the piscina or sacrarium is to dispose of water used sacramentally, by returning these particles directly to the earth. For this reason, it is connected by a pipe directly to the ground; otherwise presumably, a basin was used. At times the piscina has been used for disposal of other items, such as oldbaptismal water,holy oils, and leftover ashes fromAsh Wednesday.
In the Catholic Church, pouring the consecrated wine, the Blood of Christ, or the Host down a sacrarium is forbidden.[4] Extremely rarely, the Eucharistic species spoils or becomes contaminated such that it cannot be consumed. The host is then dissolved in water until it disappears, and then the water is poured down into the sacrarium.[5] In accordance with what is laid down by thecanons, "one who throws away the consecrated species or takes them away or keeps them for a sacrilegious purpose, incurs alatae sententiaeexcommunication reserved to theApostolic See; acleric, moreover, may be punished by another penalty, not excluding dismissal from the clerical state."[4] This applies to any action that is knowingly, voluntarily, and gravely disrespectful of the sacred species. Anyone, therefore, who acts contrary to these norms, for example casting the sacred species into the sacrarium or in an unworthy place or on the ground, incurs the penalties laid down. Certain conditions, laid out in the current Code for Canon Law, must be met in order for the penalties to apply.[6]
In theEastern Orthodox andEastern Catholic Churches the piscina is called athalassidion, and is located in thediaconicon (sacristy). The thalassidion is a sink that drains into an honourable place in the ground where liquids such as the water used to wash holy things may be poured, and where the clergy may wash their hands before serving theDivine Liturgy. In Orthodoxy theSacred Mysteries (consecrated elements) are never poured into the thalassidion, but must always be consumed by adeacon or priest.
In some ancient churches, the thalassidion was placed under theHoly Table (altar), though now it is almost always located in the diaconicon. At one time, before amonk ornun wastonsured, theirreligious habit would be placed on the thalassidion;[7] now, since the separation of the thalassidion from the Holy Table, the habit is placed on the Holy Table. When amonk ornun istonsured, if the hair must be disposed of, it is thrown into the thalassidion.
The covered sink, known as the piscina or sacrarium, drains directly to the earth.
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