Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day and prayed. Dan. 6:10
The Scripture says, “His name shall rise up above the sun.” And again, Zechariah says, “His name is the East.” Justin Martyr (c. 160, E), 1.260
Corresponding to the manner of the sun’s rising, prayers are made looking towards the sunrise, in the east. Clement of Alexandria (c. 195, E), 2.535
Others . . . believe that the sun is our god. The idea no doubt has originated from our being known to turn to the east in prayer. Tertullian (c. 197, W), 3.31
Others . . . suppose that the sun is the god of the Christians, for it is a well-known fact that we pray towards the east. Tertullian (c. 197, W), 3.123
He also established two parts of the earth that are opposite to one another, and of a different character. I speak of the east and the west. Of these, the east is assigned to God, for He Himself is the Fountain of light and the Enlightener of all things. Furthermore, He makes us rise to eternal life. However, the west is ascribed to that disturbed and depraved mind, for it conceals the light. It always brings on darkness, and it makes men die and perish in their sins. Lactantius (c. 304–313, W), 7.57
Let the building be long, with its head to the east, with its vestries on both sides at the east end—so it will be like a ship. Apostolic Constitutions (compiled c. 390, E), 7.421