An aspergillum[1] (less commonly, aspergilium or aspergil) is a Christian liturgical implement used to sprinkle holy water. It comes in three forms: a freshly cut hyssop branch, a brush-like bundle that is dipped in the holy water and shaken, and a perforated, mace-like metal ball with a handle. Some have sponges or internal reservoirs that dispense holy water when shaken, while others must periodically be dipped in an aspersorium (holy water bucket, known to art historians as a situla).

Aspergill

An aspergillum is used in Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican ceremonies, including the Rite of Baptism and during the Easter Season.[2] In addition, a priest will use the aspergillum to bless the candles during Candlemas services and the palms during Palm Sunday Mass. At a requiem, if a coffin is present, the priest will sprinkle holy water on the coffin. The aspergillum can be used in other manners where sprinkling of holy water is appropriate, as in a house blessing, in which the priest might bless the entry to the home, or as part of the ceremony consecrating an altar and a church building. The name derives from the Latin verb aspergere 'to sprinkle'.

The form of the aspergillum differs in the Eastern Orthodox Church. In the Greek Orthodox Church the aspergillum (randistirion) is in the form of a standing vessel with a tapering lid. The top of the lid has holes in it from which the agiasmos (holy water) is sprinkled. In the Russian Orthodox Church the aspergillum is in the form of a whisk made of cloth or hair. Sometimes, sprigs of basil are used to sprinkle holy water. In some of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, no aspergillum is used, but the priest will pour holy water into the palm of his right hand and throw it on the faithful.

Of the cedar wood, hyssop, clean bird, and scarlet wool or fillet, were made an aspergillum, or instrument to sprinkle with. The cedarwood served for the handle, the hyssop and living bird were attached to it, by means of the scarlet wool or crimson fillet. The bird was so bound to this handle, as that its tail should be downwards, in order to be dipped in the blood of the bird that had been killed. The whole of this made an instrument for the sprinkling of this blood, and when this business was done, the living bird was let loose, and permitted to go whithersoever it would.[3][full citation needed]

Aspergillus, a genus of mold, was named in 1729 by the Italian priest and biologist Pietro Antonio Micheli. When viewed under a microscope, the mold cells were said to resemble an aspergillum.[6]

Es existieren auch handliche Varianten (Taschenaspergill), die innen ein durch einen Schraubring zu Ãffnendes BehÃltnis fÃr eine geringe Menge Weihwasser besitzen. Somit wird kein zusÃtzlicher WeihwasserbehÃlter benÃtigt (z. B. zur Mitnahme auf den Friedhof oder zur Krankensegnung).

Das aspergillum wurde vom Christentum einesteils aus den liturgischen GebrÃuchen des Alten Bundes, andererseits aus der Religio Romana Ãbernommen, wo es neben anderen rituellen GegenstÃnden[1] eines der wichtigsten Accessoires des Pontifex Maximus war und auch hier zum Besprengen mit geweihtem Wasser verwendet wurde.[2]

Asperges (from Latin aspergere, to sprinkle) is the ceremony of sprinkling the congregation with holy water at the beginning of the Liturgy of St. Tikhon of Moscow (normally Sundays and high feast days) in the Western Rite. The liturgical impliments used by the celebrant for this ritual are a baton or brush for sprinkling, called an aspergill, and a vessel containing the water, called the asperorium.

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