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Why the Epistle Should Be Read Eastwards and the Gospel Northwards (Part 2: Conclusion)

Tradition and Sanity

In the first part, we laid the groundwork for understanding why the classical Roman Rite reads the Epistle to the east. It is not because the pope in his private chapel happened to do it this way, since there was no reason to bother to turn around. No, this custom of reading toward the east was widespread in many local uses and seems to have developed organically when the ambos of ancient Christian architecture were no longer utilized. My hypothesis is that the readings, like everything else in the rite, were gravitationally drawn toward the act of divine worship, so that even externally they were brought into conformity with the orientation of the sacrifice. But if the eastward stance is well suited to the worship of God and the expectation of Christ, why would the liturgy turn the deacon toward the north wall for the proclamation of the Gospel? Here, dear friends, is where the liturgy surprises us by heading in a new direction. But it makes perfect sense if we stop to think about it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.traditionsanity.com/subscribe