Water Sources and the Sacred in Modern and Ancient Greece and Beyond

Abstract

The article presents contemporary Greek water-rituals and their relation to ancient pre-Christian traditions and sites, manifested by springs in caves. Formerly springs represented Water-Nymphs, and today springs are dedicated to the Panagia (i.e. the Virgin Mary), under her attribute of Zōodochos Pēgē (i.e. the Life-giving Spring). People have traditionally expressed their beliefs through rituals connected to purity and water by fetching Holy water from the caves dedicated to these divinities. The water is thought to be particularly healing and purifying during their festivals, such as the modern festival dedicated to the ''Life-giving Spring'', which is celebrated on the first Friday after Easter Sunday. During this celebration Athenians come to Panagia's chapel inside a circular Spring House hewn in the rock on the Southern slope of the Acropolis to fetch Life-giving water. The Sacred Spring is situated inside a cave over which is constructed a church. It is also important to be baptised in water from one of Panagia's sacred springs. The cult dedicated to the personified sacred and healing spring-water, has traditionally been important for political purposes as well. Based on fieldwork on contemporary religious rituals, the author compares the modern evidence with ancient material, arguing for a continuous association of water sources with the sacred in Greece, as observed in the Athenian Acropolis Cave, a cult which is not very well-documented and therefore deserves to be better known. The comparison will also exploit the cult of springs in other Greek caves and similar cult found in parallel non-Greek contexts.

General ground water geochemistry of Hellas using bottled water samples

“…In ancient Hellenic culture, water was not only associated with hygiene and the needs of the human body, but it became an essential part of religious ritual, ensuring the soul's well-being through the metaphorical concept of catharsis (Chrysoulaki, 2010;Håland, 2009). Water was always a part of purification ceremonies, initiation rituals, cures and acts of divination, even conversing with immortality.…”

“…Conversely, spouting springs and tranquil lakes were inhabited by youthful girls, the 'naiads' (water nymphs). Holy water is also part of deep Christian traditions, associated with Virgin Mary under her attribute of 'Lifegiving Spring' (Zōōdhóchos Pegé), but also with other Saints (Håland, 2009).…”

The hydrogeological and cultural background for two sacred springs, Bø, Telemark County, Norway

“…Water is significant in religious rituals and beliefs all over the world (Håland, 2009) so the described case of sacred springs is a common human phenomenon. As with holy wells in Ireland (Foley, 2011), both natural and manmade elements are included.…”

“…The widespread use of the name of St. Olav indicates his significant influence in Norway. At Acropolis in Greece, two sacred springs are dedicated to Virgin Mary and are called the Life-giving Spring (Håland, 2009). In the caves with the springs are icons of Virgin Mary (Panagia) and the child (Håland, 2009: 88).…”

“…These two springs are today still celebrated and the holy water is used for baptizing, washing, drinking, and collecting in bottles. Sacred springs all over Greece have been used from ancient ages through antiquity with celebration of nymphs and different gods (Håland, 2009). Springs, rivers, and inland water bodies are crucial elements of the sacred Greek landscapes (Gerten, 2008).…”