By SEBASTIAN CAMPBELL, For The Guardian

Q: Why do we normally face the east to worship in our churches. (Altars are normally in the east).

A: The altar is at the east because Christians look for the second coming of the Lord, the Son of Righteousness. Since the sun rises in the east, Christians traditionally faced the east for worship.

Q: What does the eagle on the reading desk in the church stand for?

A: The eagle symbolizes the strength and beauty of holy scriptures. The eagle is magnificent in its flight and soars higher than all birds. So the Bible is the greatest of all books, in its inspiration and ought have no limits in soaring to great heights in our lives.

Q: Why does the church encourage people to stand, kneel, and perform other acts of devotion during the church service?

A: The church teaches us to worship God with our bodies as well as with our minds and spirits.

We are made in such a way that we express outwardly, through the body, what we experience inwardly, in the spirit. That principle is at work in our making the sign of the cross and in performing other manual acts of devotion.

Q: Why do we make the sign of the cross?

A: This is one of the most ancient Christian practices. The sign of the cross was not only an unspoken password between Christians while Christianity was a forbidden religion, but it was also the means of strengthening individual Christians in their daily living: They made the sign of the cross before and after eating, upon retiring and upon arising, upon setting forth and upon returning.

This is in keeping with St. Paul (Col. 3:17) "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus."

The sign of the cross is our unspoken testimony that can speak volumes to us being Christians.

To make the sign of the cross using "Holy Water" is a personal reminder of our vows made in Holy Baptism. It serves to remind us that through the waters of Holy Baptism we become members of the Church of God.

The sign of the cross is made beginning at the forehead and descending to the breast, vertically, and from the left to the right shoulder, horizontally and then finally again to the breast.

Making the triple sign of the cross before the reading of the Gospel: We cross our bodies on the forehead, lips and breast, signifies the dedication of all one's thought, speech, and actions in response to God's revealed love and will.

Activity: Discuss Christian symbols arising during the period of persecution.

Q: Please explain the reason for the following practices. (The practices listed are apparent in the answer to the question.)

A: Bowing: The slight inclination of the head, towards the altar which is symbolic on earth of the Throne of Grace in Heaven; and at the name of Jesus, spoken by us or in our hearing, in respect of our Lord's person.

A profound bow: The total inclination of our body from the waist up, a total bending over. This is permissible for persons with severe body ailments such as arthritis. It replaces genuflection. Striking the breast: A sign of guilt for sins and contrition for them, following the example of the publican in our Lord's parable.

Genuflection: The touching of the right knee to the ground in recognition of Jesus. (Originally it was done in recognition of Jesus spiritually present in the church, using the altar as our focus).

The kiss of peace: This is a profound hug. This expresses the love of Christians for one another.

Kiss of the altar by the priest: A practice which denotes appreciation for the devotion to Christ shown by the saints, whose good example it is the intention of the worshippers to follow.

The use of incense: Incense symbolizes our Lord's high priestly intercession before the Throne of Grace, as well as the Prayers of the Saints. (Revelation 8:3).

We stand for the reading of the Gospel as a sign that it is by the Gospel we conquer, it is the supreme reading done in the Eucharist and is normally done in pomp and pageantry so as to demonstrate Christ Himself coming to us. We stand to receive Him as our King. (We sit for instruction; we kneel for prayers.)

We can add our use of vestments, colours, stained glass, church furniture, painting, statues, music and other material artistic adjuncts to the worship of God.

All these outward and visible signs must be the expression of inward devotion to God: Otherwise they are empty of Christian significance.

Q: Why do we pray and bow before pictures and carvings called "Stations of the Cross"? Doesn't this contradict the Second Commandment?

A: Stations of the Cross are intended to help us make spiritual pilgrimages, following Jesus along the Way of Calvary. The pictures help us to visualize the scenes along the way, and, have been found to be definite helps to devotion by those who "do" the Stations. It is not likely that anyone, especially Anglicans will mistake the pictures for God Himself and fall into the bad habit of worshipping the station instead of Jesus Christ Himself.

Q: Is it correct to put out the candles on the Epistle side of the altar first?

A: This question hardly arises in many of our churches today. Many have reduced candles to two instead of the traditional six. Other churches might have had candles electrified. However in the traditional churches the candles on the epistle side of the altar are always lit first and put out last so as to signify that the Gospel will always have the witness and support of faithful people.

The candles are lit from the cross out and are extinguished in the reverse order. In proper protocol, congregations wait for candles to be extinguished before leaving the church.

(From the series: Transforming into a butterfly).