ad orientem

English

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from Latin ad orientem (literally “to the east”).

Adverb

ad orientem (not comparable)

1. (Christianity) Facing liturgical east, that is, in the same direction as (and thus, away from) the congregation.

Adjective

ad orientem (not comparable)

1. (Christianity) Describing worship facing liturgical east.
   • 2009 September, Edward J. Slattery, “From the bishop: Ad orientem”, in Eastern Oklahoma Catholic‎^[1], archived from the original on 10 February 2012, page 3:

     For that reason, I have restored the venerable ad orientem position when I celebrate Mass at the Cathedral.

   • 2019 August 15, Michael Rennier, “Liturgy wars? Younger Catholics just want reverence”, in Catholic Herald:

     It was catechism by incense, rood screens, gorgeous vestments and ad orientem Masses chanted from high altars that scrape the heavens.

Noun

ad orientem (uncountable)

1. (Christianity) Ellipsis of ad orientem worship, posture, etc.
   • 2021 August 5, Matt Kappadakunnel, “A call to communion: Pope Francis' letter to the Syro-Malabar Church”, in National Catholic Reporter:

     One faction within the Syro-Malabar Church favored the use of ad orientem in the liturgy — "to the east," with the presider's back to the congregation.

   • 2022 August 27, Disney Tom, “Altar ego”, in The Times of India:

     Fr Kalathil says that just like there is a demand for Versus Populum in Ernakulam-Angamaly there are strong proponents of Ad Orientem in other dioceses.

Norwegian Nynorsk

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from Latin prepositional phrase ad orientem (“to the east”).

Adverb

ad orientem

1. (ecclesiastical) oriented in the same direction as fellow communicants during mass (incidentally away from the people)

   Antonym: versus populum

Polish

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from Latin ad orientem.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ad ɔˈrjɛn.tɛm/
• Rhymes: -ɛntɛm

Adverb

ad orientem (not comparable)

1. (Christianity) ad orientem (facing liturgical east, that is, in the same direction as and away from the congregation)

Further reading

• ad orientem in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
• ad orientem in Polish dictionaries at PWN