Why is the altar always in front?

Answer 1

There is no requirement in Catholicism for an altar to face any specific direction.

Roman Catholic AnswerFor a complete discussion of this "facing East", you need to pick up the Pope's book, The Spirit of the Liturgy by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict). The idea comes from the Jewish idea of facing towards where our salvation came from, towards the rising sun, towards the East. For centuries, Churches were faced (if possible) towards the East - from where our salvation came, with the altar on the east end with the priest and the people both facing the same way. This is known now as "liturgical East" as it doesn't have to be necessarily towards the rising sun "east". As pointed out above, there is no requirement for this, it is just a very old custom.

Answer 2

This is a throwback to when the oldest Church of England churches (ie those dating before the reformation) were originally Roman Catholic churches. Roman Catholics are far more symbolic that protestants, and believe that the Second Coming of Jesus will happen in the East. Therefore Catholics looked to the east for the second coming of Christ, and therefore, by tradition, wanted to look east during the mass, which takes place at the altar.

More modern churches have usually followed the tradition, and the communion table (the protestant equivalent of 'altar') is built at the east end. However, many new churches abandon the tradition as it is not scriptural anyway, and place the altar/communion table wherever they like. In my own church as an example, the table is actually at the west end as architecturally this was the best place, and we have another table that we move - sometimes into the centre of the church.

The tradition is that the people face east, the direction of sunrise/first light, as a symbol of resurrection.

Answer 3

The Orthodox see the East as the breaking of light over the dark. It is a symbol of Christ. The West is symbolic of the setting of the light and the coming of darkness. The orientation toward the East is an orientation toward Christ or God.

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Answer 4

Catholic Churches do not face east or any other particular direction.

Answer 5

Catholic churches are not required to face any particular direction. They may face north, south, east or west.

Answer 6

An orthodox church glorifies God rightly by having the door in the west so when the sun sets, Christians can walk from the darkness into the light.

Answer 7

The altar is always in front so everyone in the Church can see the Priest, or who ever is leading the services, (such as a lay leader).