Orans - History

History

The orans posture was practiced by both pagans and Jews before it was adopted by the earliest Christians. Christians saw the position as representing the posture of Christ on the Cross; therefore, it was the favorite one of early Christians. Until the 9th century, the posture was sometimes adopted by entire congregations while celebrating the Eucharist. By the 12th century, however, the joining of hands began to replace the orans posture as the preferred position for prayer. It continued to be used at certain points in the liturgies of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. In the Catholic Mass, it occurs at the orations, the Canon, and the Lord's Prayer.

In the 20th century, the orans posture experienced a revival as a result of its widespread use within Pentecostalism. Often associated with "soft Pentecostalism" and the charismatic movement, the orans posture is once again becoming a common gesture of worship among many Christian groups.