But -- as you probably know -- there's a longstanding tradition that arms are not to be carried in Christian churches. In fact, some medieval churches (in Norway, for example) have a kind of balcony or portico around the outside whose purpose was specifically for the men to stack their weapons before entering the sanctuary.
As a counterbalance, read this.
But -- as you probably know -- there's a longstanding tradition that arms are not to be carried in Christian churches. In fact, some medieval churches (in Norway, for example) have a kind of balcony or portico around the outside whose purpose was specifically for the men to stack their weapons before entering the sanctuary.
On the contrary, there is actually a longstanding tradition from the Middle Ages of priests being armed during Mass. They would carry a short sword on their right hip so they could defend the Sacrament if marauders attacked during worship.
How do I know this? Because it still carries over into proper liturgical movements in the church today: The proper way to turn when facing toward or away from the congregation is for everyone to turn to their right. That way your "swords" don't get tangled up!