Bowing to the celebrant and NOT the Altar

taylormcbee · #1 Jun 17, '12, 2:53 pm

At my Girlfriends church when the readers go up to read the first and second reading they do NOT bow to the altar

like they should they pass it like it is just a coffee table instead they go up into the sanctuary and bow to the priest and then proceed to read, Is this proper ?
Thanks

Dhugz · #2 Jun 17, '12, 4:51 pm

I dont know but that is what i observed also.

Aelred Minor · #3 Jun 17, '12, 5:48 pm

It's not what I was taught. However, I'm unsure how much of this kind of thing is popular tradition, which may vary by location and individual, and how much is official rules.

jilly4ski · #4 Jun 17, '12, 6:19 pm

I don't think it is "proper," but I wonder if they adopted it from the deacon's role. When a deacon reads the gospel, he first receives a blessing from the priest accompanied by a bow. So I wonder if they have sort of co-opted this practice for all the readers?

TheRealJuliane · #5 Jun 17, '12, 6:51 pm

Unless the altar is behind the celebrant, why would they bow to the priest??

Aelred Minor · #6 Jun 17, '12, 7:49 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jilly4ski

I don't think it is "proper," but I wonder if they adopted it from the deacon's role. When a deacon reads the gospel, he first receives a blessing from the priest accompanied by a bow. So I wonder if they have sort of co-opted this practice for all the readers?

Now that you say it, this sounds very likely to me.

Exorcist · #7 Jun 17, '12, 8:09 pm

Both the altar and the priest are icons of Jesus Christ.

Hesychios · #8 Jun 17, '12, 8:45 pm

One bows or genuflects to the tabernacle when it contains reserved sacrament. If the priest is standing near a tabernacle that may be off to one side, that could explain it.