Kneeling

Kneeling was probably the general posture of the early Christians in prayer not regulated by public authority, but the early church made no distinction in language between kneeling and prostration. At communion the first prayer was said kneeling, the rest of the liturgy standing. At other times of service the rule was for all to kneel in prayer except on Sundays and between Easter and Whitsuntide. In the modern Catholic Church kneeling is the usual attitude at prayer, as in the Church of England. In the Roman and Greek churches, and with some Anglicans, the celebrant, after kneeling in adoration, communicates standing. In the Church of England, and in the Lutheran Church, the sacrament is received kneeling; Lutherans stand at prayer. Presbyterians sit when receiving the communion, and were till lately accustomed to stand at prayer; recently kneeling at prayer has become the usual practice, save in the remoter districts of Scotland.