Eastward Prayer

Tertullian says some pagans thought Christian eastward prayer meant sun worship. Later writers tied it to Christ's return, which Matthew likens to lightning from the east.

The Apostolic Constitutions of about 375–380 put the sanctuary at the east end of the church; Rome accepted the orientation only in the eighth or ninth century. The Coptic Church prays its seven daily hours facing east and builds or remodels its churches to match.