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Stoup
The term is from the Old English for "vessel." It is a small basin or container for holy water. It is placed near an entrance of the church. Those who enter the church may touch the water to their foreheads while making the sign of the cross. This gesture of personal piety may be done to recall baptism and the baptismal promises and as a sign of blessing. Historically, a fountain was in the atrium of certain basilicas. Some would wash their hands and faces in the fountain before entering the basilica. Making the sign of the cross with water from a stoup likely derived from this practice. The practice of sprinkling the people in church with holy water dates from the ninth century. Holy water was left in the church for the use of those who were unable to be present at the eucharist.
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Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from "An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians," Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.
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