Passing over all the preparatory portion of the Liturgy, he tells us first that the Deacon brings water to the Bishop or Priest (τῷ ἱερεῖ) and to the Presbyters who stand round the altar, that they may wash their hands in token of the need of purification from sin; a ceremony which evidently had reference to the words of the Psalmist, “I will wash mine hands in innocency; so will I compass Thine altar, O Lord Mystag. v. § 2..”  In some Churches, perhaps also at Jerusalem, the words were actually chanted during the ablution Dict. Chr. Ant. “Lavabo.”.