They practise foot-washing and baptism by trine immersion; are strict sabbatarians and simple in their manner of life.
Reservation for the sick and unction of the sick were retained; and exorcism, unction, trine immersion and the chrisom were included in the baptismal service.
In the West trine immersion was generally held to be symbolic of the triune name of "Father, Son and Holy Ghost."
Trine immersion then, as to the origin of which Basil confesses his ignorance, must be older than either of the rival explanations.
He instances the blessing of the water of baptism, of the oil of anointing and of the baptizand himself, the use of anointing him with oil, trine immersion, the formal renunciation of Satan and his angels.