In Orthodox families, the icon is especially revered. It is used to bless a long journey and a happy family life, successful work or study. Before her they pray to the Lord, the Mother of God and various saints for intercession and protection from illnesses and troubles. But only a few know how to properly place icons in an apartment. Well, it's time to fix this annoying situation. We'll tell you how to properly place icons in your apartment.
In a Christian's home there must be 2 icons (Jesus Christ and the Mother of God), as well as a prayer cross. In addition to them, in a specially designated place you can place the holy faces of the patrons and intercessors of the family: Matrona of Moscow, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Sergius of Radonezh, Dmitry Donskoy, John of Kronstadt, Seraphim of Sarov, etc. But still there should not be too many icons. Those to whom you are accustomed to tirelessly pray are enough. And also, try not to place photographs of living or deceased loved ones and celebrities next to the icons, no matter how much you value them.
The first thing you should think about before properly placing icons in your apartment is where it is best to do this. In fact, you can place holy images in any room. Naturally, apart from the bath and toilet, there should not be even a small image in these rooms - this is sacrilege. If you are used to praying to the Lord before meals, hang the icon above the dining table or behind the door of a glass cabinet. Then the whole family will be able to express gratitude to Him every day for their well-being and the gift of food. Just don’t forget that in this case there is no place for the TV and tape recorder in this room.
Icons would be useful in the bedroom, hall or guest rooms. In a nursery, an image of the Virgin Mary placed above the crib would be quite appropriate. The Patron Saint will protect your child from troubles, misfortunes, illnesses and bad thoughts. Grants him obedience. However, you can also place a personalized icon in a beautiful frame here. Just do not forget that the child should not reach Orthodox products. Hang them high (but not too high!).
People wondering where it is best to place icons in an apartment also sometimes ask: “Can they be placed on the desktop, next to the computer?” In fact, it is possible, but you shouldn’t do it. Instead, place the holy image somewhere nearby, such as on a window or wall. In this case, it will better help you in your work, and it won’t get in the way. If the window is occupied by flowers, and there is simply no convenient part of the wall, the icons can be placed on a bookshelf, next to theological literature, a chest of drawers or a low sideboard. But still, do not forget that the most suitable place for them is the red corner.
Yes, you can, there are no prohibitions here. But you need to understand that an icon is not a talisman that can protect a house from ill-wishers. It is necessary at the entrance to the house only so that the person who enters and sees it can remember the name of God, pray, thank the higher powers, and ask for their intercession in any endeavors. As for what kind of icon can be hung above the front door, these are: “Savior on Ubrus”, “Seven Shot” (helps to reject bad thoughts), “Impenetrable Door” (helps to quickly overcome troubles and troubles), “Guardian Angel” ( removes unclean forces from household members and the house) and others. In principle, there are no restrictions.
Before placing icons in your apartment, you must remember that it is prohibited to do this next to paintings, photographs, posters, souvenirs, wall or grandfather clocks, figurines and other household attributes. They should not be placed next to a TV or tape recorder. These devices should be in another room. And one more thing: there should be nothing above the icons or very close to them, except for the cross, lamps and some permitted decorations, for example lamps or beautiful napkins created by the hostess.
For a long time, a red corner was created not far from the front door, in the eastern corner. It was believed that a person entering must first honor the Lord God, and then the owner of the home. Now in many apartments the layout does not allow placing icons in the right place. If you don’t have this option either, try placing them to the right of the entrance to the house. This is not forbidden by the Church. If this option does not suit you, make a red corner in the eastern corner of the largest and brightest room. Where you can place icons in an apartment has already been mentioned above. The only addition is that it is better to place the icons on the iconostasis. It can be purchased at any Orthodox store or made with your own hands.
The most important thing when choosing the place and location of this product is to make sure that, if necessary, 2 people can freely approach it. Other rules concern “neighborhood” with household items. So, a prayer cross should be immediately placed next to the iconostasis or above it. But there should be no curtains or other flammable objects nearby, as fire from lamps or candles can spread to them. For the same reason, you should not install shelves for icons too close to the ceiling. It is enough to make sure that small children and pets cannot reach it, and that’s it.
According to Orthodox tradition, the images on the iconostasis should be in the following order: on the topmost shelf - the icon of the Holy Trinity, below it - the face of the Savior of mankind, below - the images of the Saints and Patrons of the family. To the right of the icon of Jesus Christ it is customary to place an icon of the Mother of God, to the left - any icon designed in the same style. It is also worth hanging a prayer cross above the holy images or on the side of them. However, many Orthodox people do everything according to their own understanding. You can do the same. But do not forget to do everything with a pure heart and sincere faith in the existence of God, because without this, the iconostasis located in the house will be useless.
Now you know how to properly place icons in your apartment. The photo on this page illustrates this process in detail. Therefore, let's talk about how and with what you can decorate. It is worth saying that Orthodox people use hand-embroidered hand-embroidered handles, lace flaps, and small flower branches (most often artificial) for this purpose.
But you can also hang a burning lamp in front of the shelves with holy images, put a shroud on them (a small napkin with frills or lace), and also place birch or linden branches nearby. There is no need to invent anything else. Remember that you place the iconostasis in the house for prayers, and not in order to transform the interior in any way.
Any product needs constant care, the iconostasis is no exception. So, the temperature in the room where it is located should be 18-20 degrees, humidity - no higher than 40%. If persistent dirt or stains appear on the images of saints, they should be wiped with a slightly damp cloth or soft brush. It is highly not recommended to use detergents. You should also remember to wipe the shelves themselves from dust and dirt, being careful not to get them too wet.
Napkins, towels and tablecloths need to be washed at least sometimes. And one more thing: in addition to external cleanliness, it is good to maintain spatial cleanliness near icons. Just don’t clutter the space around them even with “very necessary” things. And then you will no longer have to think about how to place the icons in the apartment if it has become impossible to keep them in the old place.
The decision on how to properly place icons in a house or apartment must be approached with all responsibility, since this task is not the easiest. But if your faith is really strong and you are ready to do everything for your own spiritual development, then you will definitely cope with everything. We wish you prosperity, peace and family happiness.
Since time immemorial, the home corner iconostasis has become an integral part of any Russian home.
If there were no icons in the hut, then such people were considered non-Christians and stayed away from them.
Many centuries have passed and today the tradition of having your own “red corner” still remains relevant.
Every person has heard the phrase “red corner” or “God’s place”. However, not everyone knows why this place received such a name and how correctly it was located. You can often hear the answer that this is the right corner from the door. But it is not always the case.
Ethnographers claim that in past times, “God’s place” was located diagonally from the stove. And this was done for a reason. The word red was associated with spring, summer and warmth, so they tried to place icons more on the south or east side.
The north and west for the ancient Slavs were comparable to death, evil spirits and bitter winter. A little later, these stereotypes diverged, and people began to simply create cozy corners with numerous icons.
According to church traditions, the iconostasis is placed on the east side, so first in an apartment or house you need to find a corner exactly looking east. If it is not possible to use the desired angle, then you need to find one close to it.
Since not everyone manages to adhere to these conditions, they were made optional. Usually the iconostasis is placed in a large spacious room so that at least 2 people can fit there. You cannot have a TV or computer nearby.
A standard iconostasis should consist of 5 rows and the icons should be arranged in a certain order:
It’s best when the red corner consists of icons that are similar in style. But this is difficult to do, because usually the icons are either donated or the required design was not found. But this does not play a big role; the most important thing is to create a holy place with faith and love in the heart.
Once the correct angle is found and all requirements are met, you can begin to install the iconostasis. Making an iconostasis yourself at home is not at all difficult and does not require any special skill or skill.
What is required to make a three-level cabinet:
You can also place holy water and scriptures there.
Shelf parameters and design may vary. It is important that the icons you need are placed there. This plywood shelf will be made with dimensions of 30x35x4 cm. What you will need for this:
First, we draw and prepare future templates from fiberboard. This is done simply:
The last step is to attach the template to the workpiece using self-tapping screws.
The sides and sides are cut down in the same way, and 6 holes are marked: 2 on the bottom, 2 for the side, 2 for the side.
Now using the machine we make 2 identical parts.
The next step is to grind out round beams measuring 1.5 cm and saw it into 6 parts 1.5 cm long. And in the center of each of them we make holes.
Make each cylinder smooth using sandpaper.
First, we twist the bottom point by point using self-tapping screws 41mm long.
If everything is calculated correctly, then the bottoms and sides will be exactly in the middle of the ends.
Then all the sides are attached to the bottom with the 3 cylinders made. Self-tapping screws are placed on the bottom side and cylinders are strung on them and screwed directly into the side.
When the cabinet is ready, we apply a layer of drying oil or varnish to it to preserve its strength and beauty. Now you can hang the finished iconostasis on the wall. Such a cabinet will be appropriate for every apartment.
In addition to this shelf for icons, you can make many others, using other sketches:
The iconostasis is a spiritual place where we can thank God for everything we have and simply pray for the health and forgiveness of those close to us. The most important thing is that the “red corner” does not turn into an interior item. It must be done and installed solely with faith and love in the heart.
How to make an iconostasis with your own hands, see the following video:
People who have recently come to faith reasonably wonder where icons should be placed in the house? In modern practice, there are certain rules for placing icons. These norms are dictated by the importance and significance of the home iconostasis. After all, it is necessary to show respect and reverence to the faces of saints located in a home environment.
In the home of an Orthodox Christian there must be an icon of Jesus Christ, as well as a prayer cross. At the request of a believer, you can place an icon of the Mother of God nearby, as well as images of those saints whom a person considers to be his patrons and intercessors.
How to hang an icon in the house correctly? To avoid mistakes, you can use the following tips:
So, where should icons be placed in the house? You can answer this question yourself. The place must be specially allocated. The faces of saints are not installed on refrigerators and televisions. To organize the first holy corner, one shelf will be enough. The place with icons is not decorated with anything except festively decorated napkins and church paraphernalia.
Today, a red corner for an icon in a modern apartment must be chosen with faith and love. This should be the best place where your daily spiritual work will take place.
Our Orthodox ancestors called the red corner the front corner of the hut in the southeast of the home. There they placed images, tables for writing and prayers. Embroidered towels and homespun cloths were hung.
“Kutny corner”, “holy corner”, “kutnik” - this is how our ancestors called the place for the iconostasis. Looking at him, they were baptized morning and evening. They knelt before him and offered fervent prayers to the Lord when it was not possible to go to church services.
The red corner was seen as an analogy to a church altar. Today, there are not only rules for choosing the red corner, but also rules for placing icons in it. Let's look at them in more detail:
In addition to arranging the main place for prayer, you can arrange separate places in different rooms of the house where the presence of an image of a saint is welcomed.
Orthodox icons can be installed in the kitchen so that the family can offer prayers to the Lord before meals and express gratitude for the gift of food and well-being.
When placing a holy image in the kitchen, care must be taken to ensure that no dirt gets on it when cooking. It is best to put the icon behind the door of a glass cabinet. This will not interfere with sincere prayer.
An icon with a saint, whose name was given at baptism, is placed in the nursery, since children in Orthodoxy are taught early to pray and honor the biblical covenants.
Several more icons can be placed in the bedroom, as well as in guest rooms. The only place where the images of saints are not placed is the bathroom and toilet. Such placement can be considered sacrilege.
Some people prefer to pray in only one room. Others feel more comfortable if images of saints are present throughout the house. Here everyone chooses for themselves: to make several iconostases or limit themselves to one.
An icon is an image of holy persons from biblical or church history. And an icon is a painting that requires careful care in everyday life.
The ideal temperature in the room where the faces of saints are located is considered to be 18-20 degrees Celsius. Air humidity should not exceed 40%.
When stains, persistent dirt and ingrained dust appear on the icon, they are taken for restoration. Icons are not cleaned with detergents. When wiping with a damp cloth, try not to wet the face too much.
In general, dust from the image of a saint is removed with soft brushes or dry rags. It is also necessary to regularly wipe the dust in the place where the face is located, wash the napkins and tablecloths located on the iconostasis.
It is unacceptable to expose icons to direct sunlight. The colors on them may fade, and the wood will fade and crack.
The older the icon, the more careful treatment is required. Prayed over several generations, it becomes a true heirloom for a certain family, which is passed on from ancestors to descendants.
In addition to external cleanliness, spatial cleanliness must be observed near icons. Other paintings, even religious ones, cosmetics, posters, jewelry, CDs and ordinary books, photographs of family members, photos of active clergy or monks, decorative items or other personal items are never placed near the iconostasis.
If the owner leaves the house for a long time, where his rich iconostasis remains, then you can close the curtains in all rooms so that the paint of the icons “rests” from the light. It is also permissible to take home icons with you to a temporary home in order to arrange an impromptu red corner there.
Now you know where in the house they should be placed and where they should not be placed. The placement of holy faces is a serious matter. And it should be discussed at a family council. Particularly religious people are not afraid to remodel the interior to install an iconostasis according to all the rules. They easily part with vases and landscapes on the walls to make room for the faces of saints. Such an act further proves that for these people, faith in God comes first, and everything material comes second. And they are ready to do a lot for their spiritual development.
Quantity and quality are different categories. It is naive to believe that the more sacred images in the home of an Orthodox Christian, the more pious his life. An unsystematized collection of icons, reproductions, and church wall calendars that occupies a significant part of the living space can often have a completely opposite effect on a person’s spiritual life. The main thing is that prayer be offered in front of the icons.
The house is a continuation of the temple, nothing more; a home is, first of all, a family hearth; There will be prayer in the house, but private prayer; There is a Church in the house, but the Church is small, domestic, family. The principle of hierarchy (that is, the subordination of the lower to the higher), reflecting Heavenly harmony and order, is also present in earthly life. Therefore, it is unacceptable to mix the ontologically different concepts of temple and home.
For an Orthodox Christian, an icon is not only an image of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, saints and events from Sacred and Church history. An icon is a sacred image, that is, separated from the realities of everyday life, not mixed with everyday life and intended only for communication with God. Therefore, the main purpose of the icon is prayer. An icon is a window from the heavenly world into our world - the world below; it is a revelation of God in lines and colors.
True, there may be exceptions here. For example, in the editorial departments of Orthodox publishing houses, the proximity of an icon and a computer is quite acceptable. And if the author or employee works from home, then the icon placed near the computer serves as confirmation that this technique is used to spread the Good News, that this human-made instrument serves as a conductor of God’s will.
Icons should be placed in a place separate from other items. Icons look extremely inappropriate in bookcases where secular books are stored, on shelves next to cosmetics, photographs of loved ones, toys, figurines, or simply as some kind of interior decoration. You cannot place posters of pop performers, political figures, athletes and other idols of the current century next to icons. There should not be any artistic paintings among the icons, even those painted on biblical subjects.
There is a misconception that spouses should not hang icons in the bedroom, and if they have them, then At night it is necessary to cover them with a curtain. It's a delusion. Firstly, no curtain can hide from God. Secondly, marital intimacy in marriage is not a sin. Therefore, you can safely place icons in the bedroom. Moreover, many of our compatriots do not always have the opportunity to place icons in a separate room designed for this.
According to Tradition, the lifetime image of the Savior miraculously appeared to help a suffering person: Christ, having washed his face, wiped himself with a clean handkerchief (ubrus), on which His Face was displayed, and sent this handkerchief to the leprosy King Abgar of Asia Minor in the city of Edessa. The healed ruler and his subjects accepted Christianity, and the Image Not Made by Hands was nailed to a “non-rotting board” and placed above the city gates.
The day when the Church remembers the transfer of the Image of the Savior Not Made by Hands from Edessa to Constantinople in 944 (August 29, according to the new style), was previously popularly called the “canvas” or “linen Savior,” and in some places this holiday was consecrated with homespun linens and towels. These towels were decorated with rich embroidery and were intended specifically for the shrine. The icons were also framed with towels, which the owners of the house used during water blessing services and weddings. So, for example, after the water-blessing prayer, when the priest generously sprinkled holy water on the worshipers, people wiped their faces with special towels, which were then placed in the red corner.
The icon painter’s attitude towards his work must be extremely demanding. Just as a priest has no right to perform the liturgy without proper preparation, so an icon painter must approach his service with full responsibility. Unfortunately, both in the past and now you can often find vulgar fakes that have nothing to do with the icon. Therefore, if the image does not evoke a feeling of inner reverence and a sense of contact with the shrine, if it is questionable in its theological content and unprofessional in its execution technique, then it is better to refrain from such an acquisition.
It is imperative to have an icon of the Savior and an icon of the Mother of God. Images of the Lord Jesus Christ, as evidence of the Incarnation and Salvation of the human race, and the Mother of God, as the most perfect of earthly people, worthy of complete deification and revered as the most honorable Cherub and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim, are necessary for a home where Orthodox Christians live.
In the traditions of Russian Orthodoxy, a special veneration of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker has been strengthened, whose icons are found in almost every Orthodox family. It should be noted that, along with the icons of the Savior and the Mother of God, the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker has always occupied a central place in the home of an Orthodox Christian. Among the people, Saint Nicholas is revered as a saint endowed with special grace. This is largely due to the fact that, according to the church charter, every Thursday of the week, along with the holy apostles, the church offers prayers to St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the miracle worker.
In church - yes. For a home goddess, you can limit yourself to only a few basic rules.
For example, if icons are hung haphazardly, asymmetrically, without a thoughtful composition, then this causes a constant feeling of dissatisfaction with their placement, a desire to change everything, which very often distracts from prayer. It is also necessary to remember the principle of hierarchy: do not place, for example, an icon of a locally revered saint above the icon of the Holy Trinity, the Savior, the Mother of God, and the apostles. The icon of the Savior should be to the right of the one ahead, and the Mother of God should be on the left (as in the classical iconostasis).
One of the indicators of the level of spiritual development of an Orthodox Christian is his attitude towards the shrine. The veneration of the ancestral icon has always been special. After baptism, the baby was brought to the icon and the priest or owner of the house read prayers. Parents used the icon to bless their children for school, long trips, or public service. When giving consent to the wedding, the parents also blessed the newlyweds with an icon. And a person’s departure from life took place under the images. The well-known expression “dispersed, at least take away the saints” is evidence of a conscientious attitude towards icons. Quarrels, inappropriate behavior or domestic scandals are unacceptable in front of images of saints.
But an Orthodox Christian’s careful and reverent attitude towards the icon should not develop into unacceptable forms of worship. Correct veneration of sacred images must be cultivated from a very early age. It is always necessary to remember that an icon is an image, sacred, but still only an image. And one should not confuse such concepts as image - the image itself, and the prototype - the one who is depicted.
It is advisable to crown a home iconostasis with a cross; crosses are also placed on doorposts. The cross is a shrine for an Orthodox Christian. This is a symbol of the salvation of all humanity from eternal death. The 73rd Canon of the Council of Trullo, held in 691, testifies to the importance of venerating images of the holy cross: “Since the life-giving cross has shown us salvation, every care must be taken to pay due respect to that by which we were saved from the ancient fall... ”
Previously, they dealt with old icons in the following way: until a certain state, the old icon was kept in a shrine behind other icons, and if the paint on the icon was completely erased over time, then it was released with the flow of the river.
Nowadays, of course, this is not worth doing; the dilapidated icon must be taken to the church, where it will be burned in the church oven. If this is not possible, then you should burn the icon yourself and bury the ashes in a place that will not be desecrated: for example, in a cemetery or under a tree in the garden.
They hid it from prying eyes. It was dangerous to show them off. The time was communist-atheistic. That’s why we’ve lost the culture of faith; we don’t know where the icons should be in the apartment. There seems to be no secret to this. Place it wherever you like. But the icons are different, and each has its own approach. Let's figure out what is the correct arrangement of icons in the apartment.
Christianity is over a thousand years old. In the old days, icons were considered of great value. By the way, not every family owned such a relic, and if there were images in the house, they cherished them like the apple of their eye. In ancient times, no one thought about where icons should be located in an apartment. We have seen them since childhood and absorbed the traditions with our mother’s milk. The image was placed in. This does not mean the color scheme of the place, but its essence. “Red” meant “ceremonial”, “solemn” and the like. And the corner, because the layout of the hut was simple. There were not windows on all walls. The lighting was poor, only candles and torches. The red corner was the one that received more sun. As a rule, it was located in the eastern part of the building. And the windows were planned in advance so that light would fall on this festive, ceremonial corner from both sides. The place was decorated as best they could. The girls made towels and napkins on winter evenings, embroidered, and weaved. Flowers were placed nearby in warm weather. And they always lit the lamp. It was not appropriate for holy images to be in the shadows. You, dear reader, are probably wondering why icons were treated this way.
It is necessary to make a small digression. Think about what image means to you personally? Those who are interested in where icons should be placed in an apartment are apparently believers. Images are not just pretty pictures. From them, people who once lived look at the believer, who managed to remain faithful to the Lord, to become part of the proof of his rightness and love for humanity. But they are all fundamentally different from all kinds of gurus who are usually worshiped. Remember: Christ said that he came to people to give light, to show the way to righteousness. He called me to follow the path he pointed out, to feel and understand it with my heart. And those people whose faces we hang on the wall realized this and embodied it as best they could during their lifetime.
Icons are portraits of loved ones, whom a believer wants to be like, from whom he takes example. That is, these are spiritual friends and patrons. Would you hide a respected and dear person in a dusty closet? Of course not. If he comes to visit, put him in the best place, treat him and entertain him with an interesting conversation. The images are not even visitors, but family members, revered and loved by everyone. This attitude used to be passed down as normal rules of behavior. That’s why people didn’t ask themselves where the icons should be in the apartment. They were given the red corner, the most elegant, light and clean.
The church rules requiring that the images be kept in the eastern part of the building have now practically lost their force. Father, seeing that the icons are in a different place, will not make a remark. That is, you can put it where it is convenient. However, there are still a number of requirements for the location. When you are thinking about where icons should be placed in your apartment, do not forget about their religious content. It is inappropriate to keep secular paintings or books of dubious nature nearby. It is also recommended to make the red corner away from TVs and computers. These devices are considered incompatible with spiritual reflection and prayer. Usually icons are used to appeal to the Lord. Therefore, they need to be positioned so that there is enough space nearby for all family members. The prayer is said in solitude; pushing around at this moment is not accepted. Therefore, the owner of the house knows better where the icons should be in the apartment. The photo above illustrates one of the options.
An iconostasis can be built from an ordinary shelf or a small table with high legs. Place images on it and arrange books of religious content, if any. It is permissible and desirable to decorate the iconostasis with napkins and towels of your own making. Nowadays, handicrafts are not in honor; people buy beautiful products in the store. But while working on a special napkin for the iconostasis, you will begin to think about God, which will benefit your soul. In the past, at least, this is exactly what they did. Look at your red corner: is there not enough light there? It would be nice to place special lamps nearby. Don’t forget to wipe the dust regularly, and sometimes light candles or a lamp. It is recommended to keep the Mother of God in the house. The face of a guardian angel is also often placed nearby. It is the saint whose name you bear from birth or baptism (sometimes they are different).
Let's talk about special cases of arrangement of holy faces. Believers have a special relationship with some icons. It is believed that they protect from misfortunes, enemy influence, and evil passions. For example, executives often hang them in their offices. These people are confident that the Mother of God will protect them from intriguers and competitors. At home, it is recommended to hang such an icon above the front door. The clergy say that the face of the Mother of God will take away an uninvited guest with bad intentions from the house. In addition, they say that Semistrelnaya protects owners from negative thoughts, quarrels, mutual accusations and scandals. And opposite the front door it is recommended to hang the “Trinity” icon. It clears visitors of bad intentions.
Often mothers and fathers think about how to protect their child from the evil eye, disease and other manifestations of the devil. Icons are best suited for this. You can hang them in your baby's room. It is advisable to place the image of the Virgin Mary in the eastern corner of the room. Follow the rules above. That is, hang the icon away from broadcasting electronic devices. The holy face in the room will certainly arouse the child’s interest in faith. Teach him to pray, tell him what icons mean to people. Probably, this way we will gradually be able to regain the ancient traditions of spiritual education. What do you think?