Bible Encyclopedias
Colymbion

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(κολύμβιον ) is a vessel used for containing holy water (q.v.) at the entrance of a church. A representation of such a vessel is found in one of the mosaics of the Church of San Vitale at Ravenna, and is here engraved. It is noteworthy that the aspergillum which hangs from the arch above the basin is in shape not unlike those of modern times (Neale, Eastern Church, introduction, page 215).