Sitting (2)

Sitting, as a posture of Christian adoration, never had (according to Bingham) any allowance in the practice of the ancient Church, being considered by them as very irreverent. Neither did they ever receive sitting the sacrament of the Lord's supper, but always kneeling or standing. It was quite a general custom in the early Church for the people to stand while listening to the sermon. This custom was most observed in Africa, France, and some of the Greek churches, while in the churches of Italy the contrary custom prevailed. This posture is allowed in the Church of England at the reading of the lessons in the morning and evening prayer, and also of the first lesson or epistle in the communion service, but at no other time except during the sermon. Some of our Protestant denominations use sitting as the posture of prayer, and of receiving the Lord's supper. Some Arians in Poland have done this for the avowed reason of showing that they do not believe Christ to be God, but only their fellow creature. See Bingham, Christ. Antiq.; Hook, Church Dict. s.v.