Home iconostasis represent a kind of a small church for the faithful of the Orthodox Christian.At home they should have a special place where you can quietly pray before images.
history of the red corner
Home iconostasis appeared in ancient Russia.For them was allocated a corner, which was called the red (ie, beautiful).In this place were placed icons, lit candles and lamps.Morning and evening, as well as in the hours of special spiritual needs of the households here have spoken their prayers.
iconostasis of those times was a multi-tiered shelf on which hung bozhnik - small curtain that closes the images of saints and Savior on the sides.The icons were hidden under blagovestkoy - special cloth that pulls only during prayer.This tradition appeared in Russia by chance.It is known that the first image of the Savior to be created by Him, by His will of God: after Jesus sprinkled the face with water and wiped his ubrus (cloth), the canvas was his face.This painting he sent the sick ruler of Asia Minor - Abgar, so he healed.After this, the prince ordered to nail boards over the gates of the holy city.After 900 years the holy image was transferred to Constantinople.Now every year on August 29 Orthodox celebrate the finding of the image of Our Saviour, and consecrated by hand woven fabric.
What's disposal on the shelf for the images?
Home iconostasis of those times also meant to hold holy water and communion bread.Households hide behind bozhnikom Gospel and pomyannik (special books, which kept the names of all the dead and the living of the family of Orthodox).Especially skillful needlewoman created doves (a symbol of the Holy Spirit) from scrap materials, and hung them to the iconostasis.In the red corner it must have been the presence of lamps and candles that were lit during a home service.
This small temple was in every Orthodox home until the 1917 revolution.After the coming to power of the Bolsheviks people continued to pray, but did so in secret.Therefore, from the ornate home iconostasis were only a few images that people are carefully hidden from prying eyes, for fear of persecution.Modern red corner is slightly different from the one created by our ancestors, as many of the traditions of its creation is simply forgotten.
Create your red corner
what will be the home iconostasis, it depends only on the owners of the house.However, do not forget to follow the following rules:
- holy image must be installed away from equipment (TV, computer, etc.) - the farther from the world, the better.
- before the icon should be enough space to not feel the closeness of the worshipers.And while praying church books (prayer books, the gospel) is better to put on a folding lectern (stand).
- Do not arrange the icons one by one on the shelves, in cabinets, while making these images other worldly things: souvenirs, pictures, etc.It is strictly forbidden, because thereby we show disrespect for God.For some reason, favorite photos, and our loved ones, especially those who have left this world, many are in the most conspicuous place, without cluttering them with unnecessary items.Just come and be with icons showing love and respect for the holy images.
difference icons from objects painting
If your home has reproductions of paintings that reflect biblical scenes, they should not be placed on the iconostasis.
The main difference between the holy image and painting - is that in the first case by means of icons we associate with the Lord.And as the iconostasis - a sacred space reserved for privacy in the prayers, the inclusion of the reproductions will be simply inappropriate.
Icons can not be hung on the wall next to the posters of celebrities - that we offend the holy images, putting them on a par with earthly idols.
Home iconostasis better place in the eastern part of the house, as this part of the world is of particular importance in Orthodoxy.
For example, we know from the Old Testament that God created heaven for people in the east of Eden.And in the Gospel says that as the lightning comes from the east to the west, and the Lord is coming from heaven.The church altar is also located in the eastern part.If, however, on this side of the windows, home iconostasis, a photo of which you will find in this article are placed in any other suitable place for him.What
shelf purchase?
Will you create home iconostasis of wood with their hands or will get them in the furniture store or a church bench, entirely up to you.If you want to buy the shelf, do it in specialized stores Orthodox.It has a wide range of iconography, and sellers are always prompt and help with the selection.By Material recovered wood and plywood shelves for icons.They can be single-stage and multistage, straight and angled.There are even entire iconostasis, which is already holy images.But such shelves mainly made only on order.To understand how a home looks iconostasis photos presented in this article.
If you decide to create a real red corner, choose stacked shelves.They will be much easier to recreate the majestic walls with images of saints, such as those installed in churches.What will be your home iconostasis - a corner or a straight line depending on where it will be placed (on the wall or in a corner of the room).
What icons are needed?
First of all, every home should have images of the Saviour, Mother of God and St. Nicholas.Of all the icons of our Lord Prayer for the home is most preferred waist image of the Almighty.In this icon of Christ holding in his left hand an open book, in which it is written, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another."Right-handed praying the Lord baptized.
From the images of Our Lady of the Russian people particularly fond of icons like "Tenderness" and "Hodegetria" (Putevoditelnitsa).The first image of the Virgin Mary holding the baby in his arms, who tenderly embraces her neck and pressed against his cheek.The most famous icon of this type is considered to be the image of Our Lady of Vladimir.A distinctive feature is the fact that the left heel baby turned out entirely.On the image of the Mother of God Hodegetria is depicted with the infant, who in his right hand holds a bundle and left overshadows all the worshipers of the cross.A striking example of this is the image of Kazan icon, "Quick to Hearken", "Surety of Sinners".
more images
addition to these basic icons on the iconostasis of the home is necessary to put the images of saints, which are named in honor of your family members.It is also advisable to buy an icon Healer Panteleimon - healer spiritual and physical illnesses.Selecting other images depends entirely on the needs of the household.For example, you can buy the image of Peter and Fevronia, who pray for the welfare of the family.Before the icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh are asking for help in the teaching and good endeavors.Unmarried women can pray before the image of Xenia of Petersburg, which is the will of God was the assistant of people in the affairs of marriage.
Recently many houses one of the central icons became the image of the blessed old women Matrona of Moscow.Even after his earthly death, it helps in all those who come to her in the Pokrovsky temple or grave Danilovsky cemetery, or simply refers to the Matron prayers at home.Already many people have received from her healing and help.No wonder she said: "Come to me and tell me how to live."Under this matron she meant that her earthly death does not mean the demise of the spiritual: for she is still with us.
Home iconostasis.How to arrange icons
Very important is the proper placement of images on the allotted space for them.Above the iconostasis of a Crucifixion.It can be bought in the shop or on your own church made of wood.The next tier of a icon of the Holy Trinity.On the bottom shelf should be placed images of the Saviour, Mother of God and St. Nicholas.The image of God must be in the middle, on the right hand (right) - the Virgin Mary, and oshuyu (left) - Nicholas' man.
Below put icons revered holy family.On the last floor you can put a bottle of holy water, candles and the Gospel.
Making red corner
Decorate iconostasis home can be fresh flowers, willow branches after the great feast - Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.On the day of Pentecost shelves with birch twigs frame images as a symbol of the grace of God's power.
on shelves for icons, you can also set the reproduction of images.Previously they need to sanctify, and then add to the home iconostasis.Beaded embroider them kiot (frame), and then they will look harmonious with the other icons.
Produce shelf
If you can not buy palm images, or all of the models that you have met, you do not like or do not fit (for example, a small number of storeys, limited space, and others.), The iconostasis homewith their hands, which pictures are presented in the article can be made independently.For a standard three-tiered iconostasis, you will need wooden planks, drill and screws.To collect it, you need to create drawings home iconostasis. On them you can easily calculate the size of wood panels, which will depend on the number of available icons on the iconostasis.
simple process
most basic stand for the holy images can be made from plywood.You must first attach to it the icon with screws in accordance with the heavenly hierarchy.After that you should make a robe for icons - a special salary, which is framed images.It can be created from embroidered fabric or beads and beads.This will give the shelves for icons festive and solemn look.That's how you can make the iconostasis home with their own hands.Photos of similar works in this article will help you with its decoration.
Thus, the creation of a small church at home - is not so much a prerequisite of life of an Orthodox Christian, as his spiritual impulse and desire.For those who believe and love the Lord, always wants to turn to him in prayer and in the liturgy, and in the home office.It does not matter whether your iconostasis made of expensive materials and lined with gilded images, or you manually create it themselves, collecting images of the saints.The main value - is your faith and commitment to spiritual perfection.
