Aquarii


Aquarii is a name given to the Christians who substituted water for wine in the Eucharist. In Greek they were called Hydroparastatae, or those who offer water. Theodosius I, in his edict of 382, classes them as a special sect with the Manicheans, who also eschewed wine. Catholics consider the substitution an act of heresy.

Etymology

Aquarii is considered a misspelling associated with Aquarians, as it has another meaning — "Slaves who carried water for bathing into the women's apartments". Other terms used in reference to the Aquarians include the Encratites and Ebionites.