holy water
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holy water
Water that has been blessed by a priest in the Christian Church, especially in the Catholic and Orthodox churches, and is used for ritual acts such as baptisms or blessings.
Beim Betreten der Kirche benetzte er seine Finger mit Weihwasser und bekreuzigte sich.
As he entered the church, he wet his fingers with holy water and made the sign of the cross.
The word is made up of the stem of the verb 'weihen' (to consecrate, to bless) and 'Wasser' (water). So it literally means 'geweihtes Wasser' (consecrated water).
Die Priesterweihe ist ein Akt, bei dem eine Person geweiht wird.
Ordination to the priesthood is an act in which a person is consecrated.
Typical verbs used with 'Weihwasser' (holy water) are 'segnen' (to bless), 'sprengen' (to sprinkle), or 'besprengen' (to sprinkle). People can 'sich mit Weihwasser bekreuzigen' (make the sign of the cross with holy water).
Der Priester besprengte die Gemeinde mit Weihwasser.
The priest sprinkled the congregation with holy water.
There is the fixed expression 'etwas scheuen wie der Teufel das Weihwasser' (to avoid something like the devil avoids holy water). It means that someone has an extreme aversion to something and avoids it at all costs.
Mein Kollege scheut die Verantwortung wie der Teufel das Weihwasser.
My colleague avoids responsibility like the devil avoids holy water.