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.
Firstly, thoughtless collecting can turn into empty collecting, where there is no question of the prayerful purpose of the icon.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.
But what to do if the house is oriented so that there are windows or doors in the east: In this case, it is only possible to use the southern, northern or western walls of the home.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.
a photograph, even of a person later glorified as a saint, shows a specific moment of his earthly life, a separate stage of ascent to the mountain heights of the spirit.
Currently, a variety of church wall calendars with reproductions of icons have appeared. They should be treated as a convenient form of printed material for an Orthodox Christian, since such calendars contain the necessary instructions regarding holidays and fasting days.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.
a worthy place in the home iconostasis.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.
From the images of the Savior for home prayer, a half-length image of the Lord Almighty is usually chosen. From the iconography of the Mother of God, icons such as “Tenderness” and “Hodegetria” are most often chosen.
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.
supreme rulers Peter and Paul.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... ”
Sunday let it burn throughout the day.
Such an icon, even if it is not consecrated, in no case should simply be thrown away: a shrine, even if it has lost its original appearance, must always be treated with reverence.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.
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.
Many traditions of Christianity have been erased from memory and lost over the centuries. Elderly people still remember the old traditions, preserve the memory of sacred prayers and rituals, but the younger generation is lost and is afraid to make mistakes when converting to faith. The question of how and where to place home icons worries many; we will try to give a simple and understandable answer.
Where to install the iconostasis and individual icons
Canonically, the home iconostasis was placed in the eastern part of the house. Temple altars are also located in the eastern part of the church. However, one should not confuse a house with a church. A house is only a continuation of the temple, there is no need to confuse and confuse concepts, a house is first and foremost a family hearth, so the “red corner” can be located in any part of the room. The only condition is that there must be enough free space in front of the “goddess” so that all family members can gather for prayer. In addition to the general iconostasis, it is recommended to place one icon in each living room.
If a family gathers at a common table in the kitchen, it is worth hanging an icon of the Savior there, since a prayer of gratitude is addressed to him for their daily bread. An icon of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God is usually hung above the entrance to the house.
How to properly design an iconostasis
The Church condemns the proximity of icons with decorative elements, modern entertainment household appliances (TV, tape recorder), paintings and various posters of modern stars. It is also forbidden to place icons with books of non-theological content. You can decorate the iconostasis with fresh flowers.
On Palm Sunday, willow branches are placed near the icons, and on Trinity Day, the house and the red corner are decorated with birch branches. The iconostasis and icons hanging separately can be decorated with embroidered towels. This tradition has ancient roots - these towels are used in the sacrament of baptism and wedding ceremonies, which are carefully stored and passed on by inheritance. After the water prayer service, it is customary to wipe your face with these towels. Since ancient times, girls have collected several embroidered towels as a dowry to decorate the iconostasis in the new home of a young family.
What icons should be in the home iconostasis
Traditionally, the icon of Jesus Christ and the icon of the Mother of God are displayed in the red corner. Canonically, as in a church, the icon of the Savior is on the right side, and the icon of the Mother of God is on the left. Select the remaining icons yourself or with the help of a spiritual mentor.
It is desirable that the iconostasis be crowned with an Orthodox cross. There is no strict set of necessary icons, just as there is no single design rule. It is only necessary to observe the principle of primacy and hierarchy: you cannot place icons of saints above the icons of the Holy Trinity, the Savior and the Mother of God. The composition should look complete, neat, systematized.
It is desirable that all icons be made in the same artistic style. If you have an icon that is passed down by inheritance, it is advisable to install it in the center of the composition, like a home shrine (but below the main icons). You should treat icons with care; if the colors have faded and faded, then it can be stored in a shrine behind other icons for some time, and later given to the church.
The iconostasis can be supplemented with icons of local saints and patrons, saints in whose honor family members are named. In Russian Orthodoxy, Nicholas the Wonderworker and Saints Peter and Paul deserve special honor.
The best adviser will be a priest - the confessor of the family. He will help you choose icons for your home.
Home iconostases represent a kind of small church for a believing Orthodox Christian. They should be given a special place in their home where they can calmly pray in front of the images.
Home iconostases appeared in Ancient Rus'. A whole corner was set aside for them, which was called red (i.e. beautiful). In this place, icons were placed, candles and lamps were lit. In the morning and evening, as well as at times of special spiritual need, household members said their prayers here.
The iconostasis of those times was a multi-tiered shelf on which a god was hung - a small curtain that covered the images of saints and the Savior on the sides. The icons were hidden under the gospel - a special cloth that was pulled back only during prayer. It was no coincidence that such a tradition appeared in Rus'. 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 ubrus (cloth), His face remained on this canvas. He sent this painting to the sick ruler of Asia Minor, Abgar, thanks to which he was healed. After this, 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, Orthodox Christians celebrate the feast of the discovery of the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands and consecrate hand-woven fabrics.
Home iconostasis of those times were also intended for storing holy water and prosphora. The household hid the Gospel and memorial books (special books in which the names of all the deceased and living Orthodox Christians of this family were kept) behind the god. Particularly skilled needlewomen created doves (as a symbol of the Holy Spirit) from scrap materials and hung them from the iconostasis. In the red corner it was obligatory to have lamps and candles, which were lit during home services.
A similar small temple was in every Orthodox home until the 1917 revolution. 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 created by our ancestors, since many of the traditions of its creation have simply been forgotten.
What the home iconostasis will be like depends only on the owners of the house. However, remember to follow the following rules:
If you have reproductions of paintings at home that reflect biblical scenes, you should not install them on the iconostasis.
The main difference between a 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 prayer, the inclusion of reproductions in it would be simply inappropriate.
Icons cannot be hung on the wall next to posters of celebrities - by doing this we insult holy images, putting them on a par with earthly idols.
It is better to place home iconostases in the eastern part of the house, since this part of the world has special significance in Orthodoxy.
For example, it is known that the Lord created a paradise for people in the eastern part of Eden. And the Gospel says that just 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 the windows face this side, the home iconostasis, a photo of which you will find in this article, is installed in any other suitable place.
Whether you create home iconostases with your own hands from wood or purchase them from a furniture store or church shop is entirely up to you. If you want to buy a shelf, do it in specialized Orthodox stores. There is a wider assortment of iconostases, and the sellers will always advise and help with the choice. Based on the material, they can be divided into wooden and plywood. They can be single-tiered or multi-tiered, straight or angular. There are even solid iconostases that already contain 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. Whether your home iconostasis will be angular or straight depends on where it will be placed (on the wall or in the corner of the room).
First of all, every home should have images of the Savior, the Mother of God and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Of all the icons of Our Lord, the half-length Image of the Almighty is most preferable for home prayer. On this one he holds in his left hand an open book in which is written “A new commandment I give to you: love one another.” With his right hand the Lord baptizes the person praying.
Among the images of the Mother of God, the Russian people especially loved icons such as “Tenderness” and “Hodegetria” (Guide). In the first image, the Virgin Mary holds a baby in her arms, who gently hugs her neck and presses her to her cheek. The most famous icon of this type is the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Its distinctive feature is that the baby’s left heel is completely turned outward. In the image of Hodegetria, the Mother of God is depicted with a baby, who holds a bundle in her right hand, and with her left hand she overshadows all those praying. A striking example of this image is the Kazan Icon, “Quick to Hear,” and “Helper of Sinners.”
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 advisable to purchase an icon of the healer Panteleimon - a healer of mental and physical illnesses. The choice of other images depends entirely on the needs of the household. For example, you can purchase an image of Peter and Fevronia, to whom they pray for family well-being. Before they ask for help in learning and good endeavors. Unmarried women can pray before the image of Xenia of St. Petersburg, who, by the will of God, became a helper to people in matters of marriage.
Recently, in many homes, one of the central icons has become the image of the blessed old lady Matrona of Moscow. Even after her earthly death, she helps in everything those who come to her at the Intercession Church or to her grave at the Danilovskoye Cemetery, or simply turn to Matrona in home prayers. Many people have already received healing and help from her. It was not for nothing that she said: “Come to me and tell me everything as if you were alive.” By this, Matrona meant that her earthly death does not mean a spiritual death: after all, she is still with us.
The correct placement of images in the space allocated for them is very important. The Crucifix is placed above the iconostasis. It can be purchased at a church store or made from wood yourself. On the next tier there should be images of the Savior, the Mother of God and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on the bottom shelf. In this case, the image of the Lord should be in the middle, on the right (right) is the Virgin Mary, and on the left (on the left) is St. Nicholas the Pleasant.
A little lower they place icons of saints revered by the family. On the last tier you can place a bottle of holy water, candles and the Gospel.
You can decorate your home iconostasis with fresh flowers and 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 birch branches, 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 an icon case (frame) for them with beads, and then they will look harmonious with other icons.
If you do not have the opportunity to purchase a stand for images, or all the models that you have come across did not appeal to you or are not suitable (for example, a small number of tiers, limited space, etc.), then do-it-yourself homemade 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 the wooden panels, which will depend on the number of icons located on the iconostasis.
The most basic stand for holy images can be made from plywood. First you need to attach the icons to it with screws in accordance with the heavenly hierarchy. After this, you should make a chasuble for the icons - this is a special frame 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 homemade iconostasis with your own hands. Photos of similar works in this article will help you in its design.
Thus, the 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, those who believe and love the Lord always want to turn to him in prayer both during the liturgy and at home services. It doesn’t matter whether your iconostasis is made of expensive materials and filled with gilded images, or whether you yourself created it manually, collecting holy images. The main value is your faith and desire for spiritual improvement.
Icons in the house must be placed in a specially designated place. There is a tradition of placing icons on a shelf on the eastern wall, however, if this is not possible, then it is not necessary to arrange a home iconostasis on the eastern side. Sometimes icons are placed in the so-called red corner. "Red" means "beautiful" - this is an indication that the place for the icons should be clean, neat and beautiful.
Sometimes they are located on one small shelf. Then in the center you can place icons of the Lord and the Virgin Mary, and at the edges you can place icons of the angel and saints.
Video on the topic
In recent years, more and more people have come to the Lord. Unfortunately, long decades of atheism have left a big blank spot in the spiritual education of many generations. Therefore, our contemporaries often find it difficult to understand the simplest questions of faith, or, out of ignorance, make mistakes in the performance of spiritual rituals. This also applies to how many of us make up our home iconostasis.
You will need
Instructions
Another “categorical” rule is that in no case should you place icons next to posters and photographs of idols of today - politicians, rock musicians, sex symbols. If you want to decorate your home iconostasis, do it with fresh, fresh flowers or towels.
There must be icons of the Savior and the Mother of God. Also, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is especially revered, and his image is very often found in Orthodox families. If you have enough space in your home, you can complement the iconostasis with a personal icon, icons of saints to whom you often turn in prayer, images of the great saints of the Russian land and saints revered in the area where you live.
For a home shrine, the rules for placing icons are not as strict as for ones, but they still exist.
First, look at the iconostasis: if you have a desire to change, rearrange, or rehang something, then you need to do it, otherwise this internal dissatisfaction will distract you during prayer.
When arranging icons in a home iconostasis, the same principles apply as in a church iconostasis.
The central place is occupied by the icon of the Savior, often the largest in size. Next to the image of Christ is placed the image of the Virgin Mary and Child.
If you are facing, then the icon of the Savior will be to your right, and the icon of the Virgin Mary to your left. These are the two main icons, they must be in every Orthodox home, and above them only the icon of the Holy Trinity or the Last Supper icon can be placed.
If you still have questions, you can always turn to the priest for clarification or advice, and the priest will always help you and resolve all your doubts.
note
Do not forget that when arranging icons, there is a principle of hierarchy: for example, you should not place an icon of a saint who is revered in your region above the icon of the Holy Trinity, the Savior, the Mother of God, and the apostles.
Helpful advice
If for various reasons an icon has fallen into disrepair and cannot be restored, do not throw it away under any circumstances - take the icon to church. As a last resort, you can burn it and bury the ashes in a quiet place, such as a garden or cemetery.
Sources:
In order to do iconostasis, you will need icons illuminated in the church. Among the icons there must be an icon with the image of the Savior, the Mother of God, the Trinity and the Guardian Angel. You can also purchase personalized icons and icons with the face of Saints. In the center there should be an image of the Savior, and to the right of him the Mother of God.
Instructions
The third row is “festive”. On it are icons depicting the Annunciation, the Nativity of Christ, the Transfiguration, the Crucifixion, etc.
The fourth row is “prophetic”. Place the Mother of God and Child on the throne in the center, with prophets on either side.
The fifth row is “ancestral”. In the center is the “Old Testament Trinity”, on the sides are the forefathers. There may be more rows - everything is at your discretion.
Sooner or later, most Orthodox people have a desire to make their own small corner for prayer. To create a home iconostasis you have to approach it thoughtfully. You can’t just install icons randomly. You need to follow a few simple rules.
You will need
Instructions
The number of icons in a home iconostasis must be at least two. It is best if these are images of Jesus Christ and the Mother of God. These icons must be present in every home. In addition to these icons, it would be nice to keep the image of the saints after whom the residents of the house are named, as well as images of locally revered saints. It should be noted that the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is revered on a par with the face of the Savior and the Mother of God, and it is present in every Orthodox family. When placing, one should be guided by the principle of hierarchy. On top there should always be images of Jesus Christ, the Holy Trinity, and the Mother of God. The icon of the Mother of God should stand to the left of the icon of the Lord.
If you have painted and printed icons, give preference to the former. Thanks to the spiritual connection of the icon painter, the icon he created is valued much higher than any factory-made one.
Decoration of icons with decorations. Often, icons are placed in so-called icon cases (they are decorated with basma, as is done in many churches). Trimming with chasuble is very common. Icons can also be decorated with fresh flowers. On the holidays of Pentecost and the Holy Trinity, the iconostasis is decorated with birch branches as a symbol of a prosperous Church. Large icons are framed with white or embroidered towels.
Choosing a place for icons in the house. The coming of Christ is expected from the east, therefore one should pray facing him. Accordingly, the iconostasis should be located on this side, preferably in the corner. If the house is located outside the eastern side, the red corner can be arranged, focusing on the nearest church. If there is a passage and windows in the east, then you can install the iconostasis on any wall of the home, because in the church there are icons on all walls. It is only necessary to maintain some distance in front of the icons in order to feel complete freedom and openness in prayer. You cannot place equipment or interior items that symbolize peace near icons.
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There should always be an icon of the Holy Trinity at the top. Quarrels, inappropriate behavior, and scandals are unacceptable in front of icons. It is advisable to crown a home iconostasis with a cross. Crosses are also placed on doorposts. If an icon or church utensil has become unusable, under no circumstances should they simply be thrown away.
Helpful advice
Among the images of the Savior, a half-length image of the Lord Almighty is usually chosen for home prayer. A characteristic feature of this iconographic type is the image of the blessing hand of the Lord and an open or closed book. For those who have the opportunity to place a larger number of icons in the house, you can supplement your iconostasis with images of revered local saints and, of course, the great saints of the Russian land.
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Every house is a small temple. And it must have its own iconostasis. But you can’t hang icons just to make them look beautiful. There are certain rules for placing shrines indoors.
You will need
Instructions
Before hanging icons in your house, consecrate the room. The first time this should be done only by a church minister. The priest will go around all the rooms, reading prayers, and sprinkle the walls with holy water. After this Sacrament, no sinful acts should be performed in the house - drunkenness, smoking, foul language. Otherwise, the ceremony will have to be performed again.
Icons purchased in a souvenir shop must be consecrated in the church. Only after this can they be hung at home. Shrines purchased from an Orthodox church do not need to be re-consecrated.
Icons need to be mounted on a wall that faces east or southeast. This is due to the fact that the person praying should face the side of the world where the sun rises. On the same side, believers await the second coming of Jesus Christ. If there is no suitable surface in the house, orient the shrines to the nearest church.
For iconostasis but several shrines will be required. Two images of the Savior, two of the Most Holy Theotokos, an icon of the Annunciation to the Most Holy Theotokos, icons of John the Baptist, revered saints and the twelve feasts.
Take a piece of whatman paper and draw the Royal Doors (the doors through which Jesus Christ invisibly passes in the Holy Gifts) in the center. Attach the icon of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary on them. Hang the face of the Savior to the right of the holy doors, and the Most Holy Theotokos to the left. This is the main, middle row iconostasis A.
The row of shrines located above the Royal Doors is called festive. Place icons of the twelve holidays there.
The Deesis rank is the topmost row of icons. Attach a large image of the Savior in the center. To the right and left of him are the faces of the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist.
At the very bottom iconostasis and depict the Honest and Life-giving Cross of the Lord. It can be cut out from a church calendar and glued on. Or draw it yourself with a felt-tip pen.
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Icons are works of art and more; through them you can turn to God with prayers, requests, and seek help and consolation. Therefore, it is very important to arrange them in the correct order, making your home iconostasis, who will become the protector of the house and its inhabitants.
Instructions
Select for home iconostasis and the eastern wall of the house. If this is difficult, the icons can be placed in any easily accessible place where several people can gather for prayer.
Traditionally homemade iconostasis They are framed with hand-embroidered towels. You can hang images of temples, peaceful landscapes and views of the Holy Land nearby.
Please note that it is better to place icons on a hard surface rather than on a wall. Earlier iconostasis It was customary to place it in a special cabinet - an icon case. It can be replaced by a regular bookshelf. The main thing is that only theological books should be on it.
For home iconostasis and images of the Mother of God and the Savior are required. You should purchase icons of your saints (whose names are family members) and the especially revered Nicholas the Wonderworker, who is the patron of children, mothers, the undeservedly offended, as well as the sick, prisoners and travelers.
If you want to create a complete iconostasis, then it must be supplemented with images of the holy evangelists, the prophet Elijah, the Archangels Gabriel and Michael, St. John the Baptist, Panteleimon and icons dedicated to church holidays.
There are several strict rules for the arrangement of icons in the home iconostasis e that should be adhered to. Place the image of the Savior in the center (it should be the largest in size). On the left place the Virgin and Child, as is customary in the classical iconostasis e. Only the Crucifix or the icon of the Holy Trinity can be placed above. Place the rest slightly below or on the sides of the main icons. All iconostasis It is customary to crown with a cross.
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If any icon has become unusable, it must be taken to church, but under no circumstances should it be thrown away.
In every Orthodox home, a place of honor should be given to icons, regardless of the status and condition of the family. It could be a modest shelf or even an entire iconostasis. The location of icons in the room is not random; the red corner must be located in a certain place so that household members can turn their thoughts to God and direct good thoughts to heaven.
Instructions
You should know in what place they should be located icons V apartment. When a person prays, he should face east. Following this custom, the eastern wall of the room is the correct place to place the icons. However, the layout of the apartment may not always allow this, since windows may be placed on the east side. Do not place the icon next to a window or radiator, this will lead to its damage due to heat and drafts.
There's nothing wrong if you arrange icons in another place in the room, since sincere prayer will still be heard, regardless of where the holy image hangs. There should be enough free space in front of the icon so that worshipers can immerse themselves in their thoughts and requests without being distracted by cramped spaces and inconveniences.
There should be no secular books, television, posters, figurines, calendars or paintings near icons. Place or hang a lamp in front of the icons. The image of the Lord God should be in the material radiance of light and remind you of his light in heaven. Light a lamp during prayer and on the eve of holidays. On Sundays and divine holidays, leave it burning throughout the day.
Place the measuring icon at the head of the bed to preserve and protect the peace of the sleeping person, filling it with pure thoughts. The icon can be located in the hallway above the entrance to the house, in the living room, and even in the kitchen (so that you can pray before or after meals). Hang the Guardian Angel icon in the children's room, it will protect your beloved child.
Remember, you should not hang icons saints higher than the image of the Virgin Mary with a baby in her arms and the Savior. Above them only the Holy Trinity can be placed. The icon of the Savior should be located to the right of the person praying, respectively, the Mother of God to the left. The images of the remaining saints should be placed lower, while maintaining the hierarchy.
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When asked how to distinguish an Orthodox Christian from all other people, 9 out of 10 people will answer: “Orthodox Christians have icons at home.” Of course, the mere presence of icons does not make a person a Christian, but it is necessary to have them in your home.
It is sometimes said that Christians “worship icons.” This is wrong. When praying, a person turns not to the icon itself, but to the one who is depicted on it: the Savior, the Mother of God, some saint. Looking at the icon helps to concentrate, to concretize the image of the one to whom the worshiper is calling.
The Savior and the Mother of God must be present in the home. The presence of icons of saints is not so necessary, but desirable. These can be images of all those saints who patronize family members - according to the names given at baptism.
You can purchase icons of those saints to whom family members turn especially often. For example, in a military man's house there may be an icon of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica, St. Theodore Stratilates, St. Alexander Nevsky or another warrior saint, in the doctor’s house there is an icon of St. Panteleimon or St. Cosmas and Damian. Finally, a Christian may feel special reverence for a saint whose feat made a strong impression on him - the image of this saint of God may also be in the home iconostasis.
When purchasing icons, you need to perceive them as shrines, and not as valuable things or interior decoration. You should not chase expensive or rare icons. The icons made of precious metals that are sold in jewelry stores are completely inconsistent with the Christian spirit. You can accept such an icon as a gift, but you should not purchase it yourself.
It is best to buy icons in church shops, where they are sold already consecrated. In addition, they definitely won’t sell dubious images of “folk saints” who have not been canonized by the church.
In the old days, icons were placed in the eastern corner of the main room - it was called the “red corner”. This is due to the special symbolic meaning given to the eastern side in the Bible: in the east God planted the Garden of Eden, the spirit leads the prophet Ezekiel to the eastern gates of the House of the Lord, etc.
Unfortunately, the location of windows and doors in modern houses does not always allow placing a home iconostasis in the eastern corner. In this case, it can be located in any other place. The main thing is that a separate shelf be allocated for icons, where no one will put photographs, paintings, reproductions, and other secular objects.
You should not place icons next to a TV, player or computer, because these objects are associated with worldly vanity. It is permissible to place icons on a bookshelf, but only on condition that the contents of the books on it do not contradict Christian teaching. Posters with images of singers, actors and other secular idols should not be allowed to hang next to icons.
In the Orthodox tradition, an icon is a shrine. Through holy images, a person focuses his attention on the spiritual, turning in his prayers not to the board and paints, but to the very person depicted in the image. Every Orthodox Christian takes care to arrange at least a small home iconostasis in his home.
Holy images can be placed in all living rooms. There is a pious tradition of placing wedding images in the bedroom. If the family is large, then icons in each living room are necessary for cell prayer for all family members.
For pious believers, holy images (or at least one small icon) are located in the kitchen. This is explained by the practice of saying prayers before and after eating food.
Holy icons should not be placed on a shelf with books that have non-Christian content. It is not advisable to place them on TV or together with secular paintings - the place for icons should be specially designated for this shrine.
Some believers place an icon above the entrance to their house. Often at this place you can see the image of the Most Holy Theotokos Hodegetria the Guide, since it is useful for an Orthodox believer to pray for help in good endeavors before going out. Sometimes a cross is placed above the entrance to the house.
The principle of arranging icons on a home iconostasis is based on hierarchy, similar to the arrangement of iconostases in a temple. If the icons are located on the wall, then in the center at the head of the iconostasis there should be an icon of the Holy Trinity or the Lord Jesus Christ. To the right of this image you can place an icon of the Mother of God, and to the left of St. John the Baptist or a particularly revered saint, for example, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Below you can place other images - angels, saints, prophets, saints, righteous ones. A crucifix can crown a home iconostasis.
It cannot be said that there are any specific instructions on the order of placement of icons in the home iconostasis (except that the Lord is desirable in a central place).
If space allows, then under the main icons of the Lord and the Virgin Mary you can place holy images of the twelve Christian holidays. In the case when the home iconostasis includes several dozen icons, then under the central images you can also place shrines with the faces of the Savior or revered icons of the Mother of God and saints.
