If I had brought my compass today I would be able to show you that the Channcel is in the East and the large window in the West. This is not an asccident, other old churches such as St Bridget’s Kirk and Dunfermline Abbey are the same.
Let me tell you why. Long ago before Jesus lived people were frightened of the dark and so seeing the first rays of the rising sun was wonderful and joyous. So people would rise early to pray to their god. Therefore Egyptian and Greek temples were built so the first light would shine in the window and illuminate there statue of their god which was often made from gold. This would have been quite awe inspiring.
Christians when they built their churches, continued this practice, not because they worshiped the sun but because the rising sun reminded then of another Rising Sun – the son of God.
Monks would get up early – at 2am, then again as the sun rose to worship. It must have been trilling to see the first rays of light come through the window. They would cry Christ is Risen, Christ is Risen.