'Furthermore albeit God is everywhere, yet ought the priest at the altar and in the offices to pray towards the east: according to the constitutions of Vigilius, Pope. Whence in churches which have the doors at the west, he that celebrateth turneth in the salutations to the people: but in churches which have the entrance at the east, [Footnote 604] as at Rome, there is no need in the salutations for turning round, because the priest always turneth to the people. The temple also of Solomon, and the tabernacle of Moses had their entrance from the east. Pray we therefore towards the east, being mindful, firstly, that He, Who is the splendour of eternal light, hath illuminated 'them [Footnote 605] that sit in darkness and the shadow of death, rising with healing in his wings': [Footnote 606] of whom it is said, 'Behold the man, whose name is the East.' [Footnote 607] For the which cause he saith in the book of Wisdom, [Footnote 608] {178} 'We ought to pray eastward, where the light ariseth.' Not because the Divine Majesty is locally in the east: which is potentially and essentially in all places; as it is written, 'Do not I fill [Footnote 609] heaven and earth'; and in like manner speaketh the Prophet, [Footnote 610] 'If I ascend into heaven. Thou art there: if I go down to hell, Thou art there also': but because to those 'who fear His name shall [Footnote 611] the sun of righteousness arise,' 'which lighteth every man that Cometh into the world.' [Footnote 612] [Footnote 604: S. John Lateran is an instance. We may observe that the reasons for the orientation of churches must have been very strong to have caused an universal disregard of an example thus set at the centre of Western Christendom.] [Footnote 605: S. Luke i, 79.] [Footnote 606: Malachi iv, 2.] [Footnote 607: Zechariah vi, 12. ] [Footnote 608: Wisdom xvi, 28.] [Footnote 609: Jeremiah xxiii, 24.] [Footnote 610: Psalm cxxxix (_Domine probasti_), 7.] [Footnote 611: Malachi iv, 2.] [Footnote 612: S. John i, 9.] Secondly, that our souls be thereby taught to turn themselves to the things that are more desirable. Thirdly, because they who praise God ought not to turn their backs on Him. Fourthly, according to Joannes Damascenus (who giveth also the three following reasons), [Footnote 613] to show that we seek our country. [Footnote 613: _Quatuor orationes._ We should probably read, _rationes_.] Fifthly, that we may look upon Christ crucified, who is the True East. Sixthly, that we may prove that we expect Him to come to be our Judge. For Damascenus saith in that place, 'God planted a garden eastward'; [Footnote 614] whence man's sin made him an exile, and instead of Paradise made him to dwell in the west: therefore, looking to our ancient home, we pray towards the east. [Footnote 614: Genesis ii, 8.]