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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Yes, St Peter's (still) has its altar in the west, as do the other great Roman basilicas of the era. The celebrant stood behind the altar and faced the east, where the entrance is. There is argument currently taking place about the meaning and liturgical consequences of this occidentation, especially since Klaus Gamber has argued -- oddly, it seems to me, but what do I know? -- that during the eucharistic prayer the congregation also turned to face the east, i.e., with their backs to the altar. I have not read it, but I gather the latest study of consequence is Uwe Michael Lang, *Turning Towards the Lord: Orientation in Liturgical Prayer*, San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2004. Perhaps some of our liturgical experts can comment further. -- Paul On 27 August 2010 08:14, Genevra Kornbluth <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture > > Dear George et al., > I am perfectly willing to be corrected about Qal'at Si'man-- I was basing > my comment on old memories from grad school and a quick look at the plan, > and could easily be wrong. > Old St. Peter's [OSP], however, definitely had its altar in the west. The > altar was located above the supposed grave of Peter. There has been a great > deal of archaeological and archival scholarship on this church, of course, > but I don't think there is any doubt about its occidentation. There is more > of a question about early medieval structures thought to be more or less > closely patterned on OSP. Occidentation is generally taken as a sign that > the builders had OSP in mind, but each case demands its own study. > The easiest access to the literature on OSP would probably be through the > scholarship of Richard Krautheimer. > In any case, the theological interpretation of standard church structures > was developed over time. Symbolism thought to be self-evident in the > thirteenth century may or may not have existed in the fourth or fifth > century. > best, > Genevra > > -- Paul Chandler, O.Carm. Holy Spirit Seminary | PO Box 18 (487 Earnshaw Road) | Banyo Qld 4014 | Australia office: (07) 3246 9888 | home: (07) 3246 9894 [log in to unmask] ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html