2.  Ye have seen then the Deacon who gives to the Priest water to wash In the Apostolic Constitutions, VIII. xi, this duty is assigned to a sub-deacon:  “Let one of the sub-deacons bring water to wash the hands of the priests, which is a symbol of the purity of those souls that are devoted to God.”  See Dictionary of Christian Antiquities, “Lavabo.”  The Priest who celebrates the Eucharist is here distinguished by the title ἱερεύς from the other Presbyters who stood round the altar., and to the Presbyters who stand round God’s altar.  He gave it not at all because of bodily defilement; it is not that; for we did not enter the Church at first Cyril evidently refers to the custom of placing vessels of water outside the entrance of the Church.  Bingham, Antiquities, VIII. iii. 6.  Chrysost. In Johannem Hom. lxxiii. 3:  “Do we then wash our hands when going into Church, and shall we not wash our hearts also?”  That the same custom was observed in heathen Temples appears from Herod. I. 51:  περιῤῥαντήρια δύο ἀνέθηκε (See Bähr’s note).  Compare also Joseph. Ant. Jud. III. vi. 2. with defiled bodies.  But the washing of hands is a symbol that ye ought to be pure from all sinful and unlawful deeds; for since the hands are a symbol of action, by washing [τῷ] νίψασθαι.  Rupp:  “Τῷ ex conjectura addidi.”  Possibly the original reading was νιψάμενοι, which would easily become altered through the presence of νιψασθαι in the preceding line.  This washing is not mentioned in the Liturgy of St. James. them, it is evident, we represent the purity and blamelessness of our conduct.  Didst thou not hear the blessed David opening this very mystery, and saying, I will wash my hands in innocency, and so will compass Thine Altar, O Lord Ps. xxvi. 6.  In the Liturgy of Constantinople this Psalm was chanted by the Priest and Deacon while washing their hands at the Prothesis or Credence.?  The washing therefore of hands is a symbol of immunity ἀνυπεύθυνος. from sin.