Orans

The orante-pose is a posture in prayer. The worshiper stands with outstretched arms to shoulder height, raised or lowered either to heaven the head. In the early Church it was widespread, as is apparent from about representations in the Roman catacombs. As Orans or Orante (Latin: Praying, plural: Oranten ) is called in the visual arts, the representation of saints or believers as praying.

The standing upright distinguishes ( a) humans from animals and points ( b ) to the resurrection from the dead; with the arms extended are indicated the cross and the crucified Christ (c). Eastern Church as Roman Catholic priests and Lutheran pastor of the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church take this stance, whenever they speak as head of the liturgy a prayer. In Middle Eastern and Latin countries the " orante-pose " widely also among the faithful remained common.