Spitting
Spitting was a ceremony introduced into baptism in the early Church. The candidate was required not only to renounce the devil in word, but also by act and gesture. The catechumen was brought into the baptistery and placed with his face to the west; a form of words was used by which he renounced the devil; he then stretched out his hands and spat, as if in defiance of him. This was thrice repeated. He then turned to the east and entered into covenant with Christ. See Bingham, Christ. Antiq. bk. 11, ch. 7, § 5. SEE SPITTLE.
