Home iconostases are a kind of small church for a believing Orthodox Christian. They should be given a special place in their dwelling where they can calmly pray before the images.
The story of the red corner
Home iconostases appeared in Ancient Russia. For them, a whole corner was assigned, which was called red (i.e. beautiful). Icons were placed in this place, candles and lamps were lit. In the morning and evening, as well as during hours of special spiritual need, the household said their prayers here.
The iconostasis of those times was a multi-tiered shelf on which the god was hung - a small curtain that covered the images of the saints and the Savior on the sides. The icons were hidden under the gospel - a special cloth, which was pulled back only during prayer. This tradition appeared in Russia not by chance. It is known that the first image of the Savior would have been created by Himself, according to His will of God: after Jesus sprinkled his face with water and wiped it with a robe (cloth), His face remained on this canvas. He sent this painting to the sickruler of Asia Minor - Avgar, thanks to which he was healed. After that, the prince gave the order to nail the sacred board over the gates of the city. After 900 years, the sacred image was transferred to Constantinople. Now, every year on August 29, the Orthodox celebrate the feast of finding the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands and consecrate hand-woven canvases.
What else was placed on the shelf for images?
Home iconostases of those times were also intended to store holy water and prosphora. The household members hid the Gospel and commemorations behind the god (special books in which the names of all the dead and living Orthodox of this family were kept). Particularly skilled needlewomen created doves (as a symbol of the Holy Spirit) from improvised materials and hung them on the iconostasis. In the red corner, the presence of lamps and candles was obligatory, which were lit during the home service.
Such a small church was in every Orthodox house until the revolution of 1917. After the Bolsheviks came to power, people continued to pray, but they did it in secret. Therefore, from the richly decorated home iconostases, only a few images remained, which people carefully hid from prying eyes, fearing persecution. The modern red corner is somewhat different from the one that our ancestors created, since many of the traditions of its creation are simply forgotten.
Create your own red corner
The way the home iconostasis will be depends only on the owners of the house. However, remember to follow the following rules:
- Holy images must be installed away from technology (TV, computer, etc.) - the farther from everything mundane, the better.
- There should be enough space in front of the icons so that the worshipers do not feel cramped. And during prayer, church books (prayer books, the Gospel) are best placed on a folding lectern (stand).
- One should not place icons one by one on bookshelves, in lockers, while forcing these images with other mundane items: souvenirs, pictures, etc. This is strictly forbidden, because by doing so we show disrespect for God. Indeed, for some reason, photographs of people we love and care about, especially those who left this world, are put by many in the most prominent place, without cluttering them with unnecessary objects. The same should be done with icons, showing love and respect for the holy images.
The difference between icons and objects of painting
If you have reproductions of paintings reflecting biblical scenes at home, they should not be installed on the iconostasis.
The main difference between the holy image and painting is that in the first case, through icons, we communicate with the Lord. And since the iconostasis is a sacred place intended for solitude in prayers, the inclusion of reproductions in it would simply be inappropriate.
Icons should not be hung on the wall next to celebrity posters - by doing this we insult the holy images, putting them on a par with earthly idols.
Home iconostases are best placed in the eastern part of the house, since this part of the world has a specialmeaning in Orthodoxy.
For example, from the Old Testament it is known that the Lord created a paradise for people in the eastern part of Eden. And the Gospel says that as lightning comes from the east to the very west, so the Lord comes from Heaven. The church altar is also located in the eastern part. If windows face this side, the home iconostasis, the photo of which you will find in this article, is installed in any other place suitable for it.
Which shelf to buy?
Whether you create homemade iconostases with your own hands from wood or buy them in a furniture store or a church shop is completely up to you. If you want to buy a shelf, do it in specialized Orthodox stores. There is a wider range of iconostases, and the sellers will always prompt and help with the choice. According to the material, wooden and plywood shelves for icons are distinguished. They can be single-tier and multi-tier, straight and angular. There are even solid iconostases, which already have holy images. But such shelves are mostly made only to order. To understand what such a home iconostasis looks like, the photo is presented in this article.
If you decide to create a real red corner, choose multi-tiered shelves. On them it will be much easier to recreate a majestic wall with holy images, like those installed in temples. What will be your home iconostasis - corner or straight depends on where it will be placed (on the wall or in the corner of the room).
What icons are needed?
First of all, in every home there should be images of the Savior, the Mother of God and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Of all the icons of Our Lord, the waist-length Image of the Almighty is most preferable for home prayer. On such an icon, Jesus Christ holds in his left hand an open book in which it is written "I give you a new commandment: love one another." With the right hand, the Lord baptizes the one who prays.
Of the images of the Mother of God, the Russian people especially liked icons like "Tenderness" and "Hodegetria" (Guide). In the first image, the Virgin Mary holds a baby in her arms, who gently hugs her neck and presses against her cheek. The most famous icon of this type is the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Its distinctive feature is that the left heel of the baby is completely turned outward. On the image of Hodegetria, the Mother of God is depicted with a baby, who holds a bundle in his right hand, and with his left overshadows all those who pray with the sign of the cross. A vivid example of this image is the Kazan icon, "Quickly Hearing", "Guide of the Sinners".
Additional looks
In addition to these main icons, on the home iconostasis you need to put images of saints, after whom your family members are named. It is also desirable to purchase the icon of the healer Panteleimon - a healer of mental and bodily diseases. The choice of other images depends entirely on the needs of the household. For example, you can purchase the image of Peter and Fevronia, who are praying for family well-being. Before the icon of Sergius of Radonezh, they ask for help in teaching and good undertakings. Unmarried women can pray before the image of Xenia of St. Petersburg, who, by the will of God, became an assistant to people in matters of marriage.
Recently, in many homes, one of the central icons has become the image of the blessed old woman Matrona of Moscow. Even after her earthly death, she helps in everything those who come to her in the Intercession Church or to the grave at the Danilovskoye cemetery, or simply turn to Matrona in prayers at home. Many people have already received healing and help from her. No wonder she said: "Come to me and tell me everything, as if alive." By this, Matrona meant that her earthly death does not mean a spiritual death: after all, she is still with us.
Home iconostasis. How to arrange icons
Very important is the correct placement of images in the space allotted for them. Above the iconostasis is the Crucifixion. It can be purchased at a church shop or made from wood yourself. The icon of the Holy Trinity is placed on the next tier. On the bottom shelf there should be images of the Savior, the Mother of God and Nicholas the Wonderworker. At the same time, the image of the Lord should be in the middle, the right hand (on the right) - the Virgin Mary, and on the left (left) - Nikolai the Pleasant.
Slightly lower are icons of saints revered by the family. On the last tier, you can put a bottle of holy water, candles and the Gospel.
Make the corner red
You can decorate the home iconostasis with fresh flowers, willow branches after the twelfth feast - the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. And on the day of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, shelves with images are framed with twigsbirch as a symbol of the grace of the power of God.
You can also install reproductions of images on the shelf for icons. They must first be consecrated and then added to the home iconostasis. Embroider a kiot (frame) for them with beads, and then they will look harmoniously with other icons.
Make a shelf
If you do not have the opportunity to purchase a stand for images, or all the models that you met, you did not like or do not fit (for example, a small number of tiers, limited space, etc.), then do-it-yourself home iconostasis, photos of which are presented in the article, you can make it yourself. For a standard three-tier iconostasis, you will need wooden boards, a drill and screws. In order to assemble it, you need to create drawings of a home iconostasis. Using them, you can easily calculate the dimensions of wooden panels, which will depend on the number of icons located on the iconostasis.
Easy process
The most elementary stand for holy images can be made from plywood. First, you need to attach icons to it with screws in accordance with the heavenly hierarchy. After that, a riza for icons should be made - this is a special salary that frames the images. It can be created from embroidered fabric or from beads and beads. This will give the icon shelf a festive and solemn look. This is how you can make a home iconostasis with your own hands. Photos of similar works in this article will help you in its design.
Sothe creation of a small church at home is not so much a prerequisite for the life of an Orthodox Christian, but rather his spiritual impulse and desire. After all, the one who believes and loves the Lord always wants to turn to him in prayers both during the liturgy and at home service. It does not matter whether your iconostasis is made of expensive materials and lined with gilded images, or you yourself created it by hand, collecting holy images. The main value is your faith and desire for spiritual perfection.
