Baptistry: meaning, definitions and examples
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baptistry
[ ˈbæptɪstri ]
religious practice
A baptistry is a designated area or structure in a church for the purpose of baptism. It is typically a small room or a separate building that holds the baptismal font or pool where the rite of baptism takes place. This practice signifies the initiation of a person into the Christian faith and often involves the use of water. Baptistries can vary in design, from simple fonts to elaborate structures, depending on the denomination and cultural context. The significance of the baptistry lies in its role in welcoming new members into the religious community.
Synonyms
baptismal font, baptismal pool
Examples of usage
- The pastor led the service in the baptistry.
- The church's baptistry is beautifully decorated.
- They filled the baptistry with warm water for the ceremony.
Translations
Translations of the word "baptistry" in other languages:
🇵🇹 batistério
🇮🇳 बपतिस्मा
🇩🇪 Taufbecken
🇮🇩 baptisan
🇺🇦 хрещальня
🇵🇱 chrzcielnica
🇯🇵 洗礼堂
🇫🇷 baptistère
🇪🇸 bautisterio
🇹🇷 vaftiz yeri
🇰🇷 세례당
🇸🇦 مَعْمَد
🇨🇿 křtitelnice
🇸🇰 krstiteľnica
🇨🇳 洗礼池
🇸🇮 krstilnica
🇮🇸 skírnista
🇰🇿 шоқындыру орны
🇬🇪 მინაწერი
🇦🇿 baptisterium
🇲🇽 bautisterio
Etymology
The term 'baptistry' originates from the late Latin word 'baptisterium', which itself derives from the Greek word 'baptisterion'. The Greek verb 'baptizein' means 'to immerse' or 'to dip', reflecting the practice of baptism as an immersion in water. Early Christians established separate spaces for baptisms, starting with simple troughs and eventually leading to more elaborate structures as the tradition grew and formalized. By the Middle Ages, the architectural significance of the baptistry became prominent, with many churches featuring ornate constructions to highlight the importance of baptism within their religious context. Today, the term is commonly used in Christian denominations to refer to places designated specifically for the sacrament of baptism.