Questions & Answers

Divine Liturgy

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Prayer, Fasting and Worship › Divine Liturgy

The question

What is the significance of stepping into the sanctuary right foot first and exiting backwards left foot first?

The answer

The right side is favored by the Lord. "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom" (Mt 25:33). We enter with the right foot, for it to be the first stepping inside the altar. We exit with the left foot, for it to be the last to leave the altar

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

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Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 1159 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.