Book notes, A Sense of the Sacred, pt. 2 of 4

A few interesting notations re: liturgy.

In many churches (and in the older tradition) the baptismal font is either in a separate space, or somewhere near the entrance to the worship area... symbolic of baptism being an entrance into the community. At a baptism, the congregation would start the worship by gathering around the font, then move deeper into the space as worship progressed. It was moved to the front by many protestant congregations, esp. in America, so that people could more easily remain in their seats and watch.

Seasoltz adds this neat tidbit: "Certain aspects of the baptismal ritual symbolically enacted the Adam and Eve typeology. The ritual often included a renunciation of Satan while facing the West, after which the initiates faced the East, the direction of Eden, to proclaim their faith" (p. 116).

This bold gesture is liturgical "orientation" - literally, to "find east." The sun rises in the east/orient, so that looking east is also a reminder of our salvation, and our final destiny with God. The above movements mean that the baptismal party renounces the devil and evil as they face west: the back of the church, or the old life from which they are coming. Then, they they turn toward the east; they are orient-ed toward the front, the traditional space of the altar and the promise of resurrection, in order to proclaim their faith in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.   

(In our congregation, the altar in the sanctuary is nearest the south wall but, when you step into worship spaces, the direction the congregation tends to face when looking at the altar becomes the "liturgical east.")

Speaking of altars, I didn't realize it was this early, but the altar was moved to the further end of the east apse and hidden from the congregation by means of a rood ("cross") screen as early as the 700's, beginning in France and Spain. During communion, the priests would disappear to the altar to quietly pray over the elements before coming back out for the distribution. The words of institution, blessing and raising of the elements "became veiled in special mystery... [The priest] alone was deemed worthy to enter into the mystery, while the rest of the people were left to pray silently at a distance from the sanctuary" (p. 122).  

Hmmm... can you imagine if someone got the giggles in that atmosphere?

About this time "was the introduction of the communion rail...[and] the gradual change from the use of leavened to unleavened bread and the decline in communion under both kinds [i.e. they might distribute the bread only]. The increased sense of unworthiness among the faithful, together with a growing sense of reverence for the Blessed Sacrament, brought about the use of small, thin, round wafers, which could be distributed without crumbs. They could easily be placed directly on the tongue, rather than in the hand of the communicant. Later, ...the faithful began to receive communion while kneeling rather than standing" (p. 123).

It does show, however, "the way we've always done it" was--at one time--an innovation, and "new" practices are frequently a return to even older traditions!