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Nipter

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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(Gr. νιπτήρ , a basin; in Latin, pedilavium) is the name of a wash-basin used in churches for religious ceremony. The name is also applied to the ceremony of washing feet. This is performed by the Greek Christians on Good Friday, in imitation of our Savior, who on that day washed his disciples' feet with his own hands. In the monasteries the abbot represents our Savior, and twelve of the monks the twelve apostles. Among these the steward and porter have always a place; the former acts the part of St. Peter, and imitates his refusal to let Jesus wash his feet; the latter personates the traitor Judas, and is loaded with scoffs and derision. The office used on this occasion is extant in the Euchologium. (See PEDILAVIUM).