that part of the altar which faces the congregation. In correctly orientated churches this is, of course, the western side; but where altars are placed against the north and south walls of collegiate or cathedral churches, as is constantly the case on the Continent and in the Anglo-Roman communion, the altar-side will be that against which the priest stands when ministering at the same.
That part of the altar facing the congregation. The Epistle side of the altar is termed the left, and the Gospel, the right, with reference to the altar crucifix.
That part of the altar which faced the congregation, in contradistinction to the side at which the priest stood when formerly the latter stood at the altar facing the people. In ceremonials we frequently find mention of the right and left side of the altar. Before 1488, the epistle side was called the right side of the altar, and the gospel side the left. In that year, Augustine Patrizi, Bishop of Pienza, published a ceremonial in which the epistle side is called the left of the altar, and the gospel side the right, the denomination being taken from the facing of the cross, the principal ornament of the altar, not of the priest or the laity. This change of expression was accepted by St. Pius V and introduced into the rubrics.-----------------------------------A.J. SCHULTE Transcribed by Michael C. Tinkler The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume ICopyright © 1907 by Robert Appleton CompanyOnline Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. KnightNihil Obstat, March 1, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., CensorImprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York