Praying towards the East

Praying Toward The East Ad orientem, in Latin, means "to the east. " This phrase describes the Eastward orientation of Christian prayer and Christian worship. By the 2nd century, Christians placed crosses on the Eastern wall of their houses and they "faced toward G-d while praying. The early Christians prayed toward the East to point to the Mount of Olives. Remember, at the foot of the Mount of Olives lies the Garden of Gethsemane. ( "When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." (Gospel of Matthew 26:30. ) Remember Jesus ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives. (Acts 1:9–12.) The church also believed that the Messiah would approach Jerusalem from the East at the Second Coming. From the second century, a candidate for baptism would face westwards to 'renounce the Devil and all his works' (See the UMC Baptism Sacrament ). Then the candidate for baptism would turn Eastwards to affirm belief in Christ.

This tradition of facing the East influenced the building of churches. When churches were built, they were created to have the altar face East. Greenwood Memorial was built, so the Chancel Rail and Communion Table altar sat at the East end of our church building. So we face the East in worship each Sunday. As we sing the Gloria Patri, the ministers, lay conducting worship, and the congregation face to the East as we honor the Trinity. We also face East when we repeat the Creeds of the church.

Rev Imani