The idea behind Anglican and Catholic churches facing east is rooted in the belief that the sun rises in the east and when the Messiah returns, he will come from the east. By positioning the building toward the east, churchgoers are positioned to pray toward the east.

Due to its strong connection to the sun as well as the Son, the east has become symbolic of Christ. Jesus is sometimes referenced as “the Orient,” and heaven is also referenced as the east. Praying toward the east is an ancient Christian tradition mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, but the exact origin of the tradition is unknown.