Home iconostases are a kind of small church for the believer 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.
What else was placed on the shelf for images?
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.
Create your own red corner
What the home iconostasis will be like depends only on the owners of the house. However, remember to follow the following rules:
- Holy images must be installed far from technology (TV, computer, etc.) - the farther from everything worldly, the better.
- There should be enough space in front of the icons so that those praying do not feel crowded. And during prayer, it is better to place church books (prayer books, the Gospel) on a folding lectern (stand).
- Icons should not be placed separately on bookshelves, in cabinets, while filling these images with other worldly objects: souvenirs, pictures, etc. This is strictly prohibited, since by doing so we show disrespect for God. After all, for some reason, many people put photographs of our loved ones and dear ones, especially those who have left this world, in the most prominent place, without cluttering them up extra items. The same should be done with icons, showing love and respect for holy images.
The difference between icons and paintings
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 meaning in Orthodoxy.
For example, from the Old Testament it is known that the Lord created a paradise for people in the eastern part of Eden. And the Gospel says that 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.
Which shelf should I buy?
Will you create home iconostases with your own hands from wood or purchase them from furniture store or a church shop, it’s completely 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, wooden and plywood shelves for icons are distinguished. 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).
What icons are needed?
First of all, every home should have images of the Savior, 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 such an icon, Jesus Christ holds in his left hand an open book in which is written “I give you a new commandment: 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 considered the Vladimir image 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 is right hand holds a bundle, and with his left hand makes the sign of the cross over all those praying. A striking example of this image is the Kazan Icon, “Quick to Hear,” and “Support of Sinners.”
Additional images
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, with whom they pray for family well-being. In front of the icon of Sergius of Radonezh they ask for help in their studies 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.
IN Lately in many houses, one of the central icons was the image of the blessed old woman 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.
Home iconostasis. How to arrange icons
It is very important correct placement images in the space allocated for them. 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 is an icon of the Holy Trinity. On the bottom shelf there should be images of the Savior, the Mother of God and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. 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.
Making the corner red
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.
Making a shelf
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, drill and screws. In order to assemble it, you need to create drawings of the home iconostasis. Using them you can easily calculate the dimensions wood panels, which will depend on the number of icons located on the iconostasis.
Simple process
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. Photo similar works This article will help you with its design.
Thus, creating a small church at home is not so much required condition The life of an Orthodox Christian depends on 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 is lined with gilded images, or you yourself created it manually, collecting holy images. Main value- this is your faith and desire for spiritual improvement.
The interior decoration of each Orthodox church distinguished by its uniqueness. At the same time, they are all united by common rules for organizing religious services. One of the attributes of church furniture is the lectern. It does not occupy a primary place in the spiritual life of believers. However, his role in the performance of divine services deserves special attention.
Brief Definition
The first mentions of the lectern as an object of church life are found in the Bible, as well as in ancient liturgical books. The word itself is of ancient Greek origin and is translated as “book stand.”
A church lectern is a special pedestal for liturgical books, icons or a cross. It has a quadrangular shape. Average height such a table is 130-150 centimeters. Distinctive feature This church attribute is a sloping tabletop, which is made to facilitate the process of worshipers touching shrines and reading liturgical literature.
Kinds
There are several types of lecterns that are used during the liturgy. They can vary in size, shape and appearance. Despite the slight differences, lecterns are generally interchangeable.
In the central part of the temple one or more stands are installed, which are also called proskintariums, which Greek language translated as "worship". Festive or temple icons are placed on them. Such objects are often made in the form of pedestals or multifaceted columns. Central pedestals differ from other types in their large size and rich appearance. A photo of the church lectern, made in the form of a proskinitarium, is presented below.
Folding stands are often used during worship. In this case, the sloping tabletop is made of durable fabric, and the base is made of lungs wooden supports. Such lecterns are light in weight and when folded do not take up much space. They can be easily moved from one part of the temple to another, depending on the sacraments being performed. Therefore, they are an important component of church decoration.
The church choir also uses a special stand to read notes and sing songs. As a rule, this is a small tabletop with a slope, mounted on one support. Such lecterns are called choir lecterns. Like folding ones, they are lightweight and mobile. In addition to the choir, they are used by clergy for the convenience of reading liturgical books during the liturgy. Choir lectern can also be made in the form of a multifaceted pyramid. Such stands are used for the convenience of singing in a large choir.
Usage
As a rule, there are several lecterns in a church. The largest is the central one. Such a pedestal is placed in front of the iconostasis. It contains the main icon, which may change depending on the holiday or day of remembrance of saints. In front of the central lectern, prayer services, baptism, wedding, unction and others take place. During some rituals, the Gospel is placed on the central pedestal.
Lecterns with icons of especially revered saints are found not only in the central part, but also in other chapels of the temple. Such stands are necessary for performing the sacrament of confession, during which a cross and the Gospel are placed on a pedestal. Such attributes, if necessary, are installed in the altar.
Next to church lecterns, which serve as stands for icons, there are often candlesticks, where worshipers place candles for a holiday or holy saints. Such stands can be used not only in church, but also when performing personal prayer by laymen and monks.
Making a lectern
Lecterns are most often made from wood of a wide variety of species. Such stands are distinguished by beautifully executed carvings, light weight and affordable price. Also in Christian churches you can find lecterns made of stone or some metals, such as bronze. They are more stable and durable, but have more high cost.
During production important detail is stability, and for portable stands- presence of ease and convenience. The support is often made in the form of a cabinet. This is an important practical detail, especially in small churches. Thus, the pedestal performs several functions simultaneously: as a stand and extra bed storage of some church items.
Even a novice craftsman can make a church lectern with his own hands by choosing a simple model. It can be a choir or portable pedestal made of lightweight and durable fabric.
Lectern decoration
The church lectern can be decorated in various ways. The decor is carried out depending on the model by gilding, painting, embossing and other types external design. Wooden models They are distinguished by beautiful carvings made in the form of flowers or a cross. Varnishing adds a noble appearance and also protects against damage for a long time. external influences. The tabletops of pedestals are often covered with velvet fabric, suede, and cloth of various noble colors.
Most often in temples during special holidays or fasting, the church lectern is covered with a beautiful fabric-chasuble in the color of the vestments of the clergy, and is also decorated with fresh flowers.
Meaning
The church lectern for an Orthodox church has great importance. Ease of use and different kinds allow the use of such stands for worship and various The variety of forms of the lectern makes it a practical attribute, and beautifully made appearance- additional decoration of any Orthodox church.
We will make a lectern out of wood with our own hands.Lectern refers to church furniture and
translated means book stand. So he
and is used, a prayer book is placed on the lectern,
cross, or icon for public access. Height
countertops calculated for
standing man.
I had to make lecterns different types, with shelves, cabinet,
rotary, carved, on one leg. This option is assembled on four
turned legs.
Although the lectern does not fold, it is light enough and can be carried.
In this form, you can make a lectern with your own hands and for home use.
The body is assembled from four parts in the form of a box. The cover is installed
at an angle for ease of use. Here the cover angle is 32*, probably
the angle can be within 28-35 *.
This work has been going on for several years now, and we will do exactly this option.
The front and back walls are rectangular, but a curved edge is cut out from below
according to the template. The sides also have a lower figured edge, but the ends are located
on an oblique, the upper end at an angle of 30-32 *.
The height difference is 270 mm. , this calculation is made for the body
size 450/450 mm. . A similar option may be broader,
as in the photo below.
Parts Dimensions:
Sidewalls 740 mm high. , width 410 mm. , 20 mm thick. two pieces.
Front and rear walls 470 mm high. , width 450 mm. , 20 mm thick. .
Here the façade walls are wider than the sidewalls by two board thicknesses. But it can be done
and vice versa, sidewalls with a width of 450 mm. , and the facades are 410 mm wide. .
A cover is installed on top, calculations in the pictures for a continuous inclined
covers. But in this case the lid is broken, there is a horizontal shelf on top
80 mm wide. , and the tabletop is joined to it. The shelves are sharp for installation
The corners of the sidewalls are cut to 90*, and a fragment of 20/30 mm is removed. .
Under the shelf, also 20 mm. , shorten the front façade wall.
The housing cover is assembled here in the form of a frame on spikes. I did it
frame 510/510 mm. , from planks 60 mm wide. and 20 mm thick. .
The frame-shaped lid is made for a very specific purpose. By internal
the edges of the strapping are passed manual router quarter into which it is inserted
plywood covered with material.
After cutting out the parts, the lower curved edge is milled, the profile
"mold". Body parts are glued together and attracted at the same time
self-tapping screws. Of course the hats need to be hidden, they are simple plastic ones
plugs will not work here.
I hide self-tapping screws and Eureka screws in two ways:
During assembly, I immediately drill out the entrance holes of the self-tapping screws, with a diameter
8 mm. or 10 mm. , to a depth of 4-5 mm. . Then I drill out the wooden
plugs along this diameter, a little on the cone and glue it tightly on top
screw caps.
Plugs for self-tapping screws.
Wooden plugs can be made with a crown, or homemade drills.
Homemade crowns certainly don’t look glamorous, but they’ve been working for a long time.
I took two old perks, cut out the center and sharpened the mustache. Made one drill
for a diameter of 8 mm. , another under 10 mm. .
The ribs are covered with a wooden corner.
In another case, the caps are closed with a wooden finishing corner,
article . Angle made from a bar with a cross section of 25/25 mm. .
We cut out the center on a circular saw so that inner dimensions were 18/18 mm.
or 20/20 mm. . Then we saw off the corner to length and glue it onto the ribs
housings. True, large carved lecterns are often made with corners, where
a lot of overhead parts.
In the next article, assembly of the case on turned legs.
At my request dear friend and colleagues, V. Kovaldzhi, I begin to paint the pearl of our temple, the choir lectern.
The choir is not only audible, but also visible. It is located next to the main shrines - the icons of the temple. Therefore, it is desirable to at least reduce the difference between the richness of the iconostasis and the wretchedness of a rickety cot donated (unnecessarily) by a generous elder to some clergy members.
I pounded our headman carefully twice a week until he realized that making the lectern I needed was the only way to get rid of my tediousness. And he did it (less than a year had passed, honestly!).
Our lectern now forms a single ensemble with the iconostasis. The Byzantine style moves from the southern gate to the lectern as a single unit. The same basma, the icon of the Resurrection, all the things:
And this is our lectern in profile (photo from the altar):
What appears to be an arc from afar is actually two working planes - for reading and for singing. Pay attention to the side wall. This is a shelf for a book in a tucked away state. In working condition it looks different:
It rises, a wooden support is slipped under it, and the reader who emerges from the altar reads (from the side) everything that he was blessed with. As a rule - hours.
And this is our “workplace”:
On top there is a hatch window with a cross, through which I keep track of everything that is done on the sole (and even at the altar!). Two directional lamps, mounted on flexible tubes, with 60-watt lamps.
The upper part of the lectern has two working planes, for singing and for reading (more flat). The thresholds are made of aluminum corners - simple and durable.
The lower part of the lectern - open shelves with books (practice has shown that centuries-old dust never has time to settle on them). The top shelf is for sheet music and books for weekly use. The lower one is for the annual (Mineaion, Triodion).
The gap between the upper shelf of the library and the lower working plane is a very convenient space for arranging a “glove compartment” for pens, pencils, erasers, throat and head tablets, tuning forks, spare light bulbs, brass knuckles and other small items. As soon as this lid is lifted, a contact closes inside and a small diode light comes on, which is quite enough to illuminate the glove compartment.
The size of the working surfaces is such that A4 books can easily fit on them. Here is the working arrangement of the books on the lectern:
And here I am, white and fluffy, posing on the “captain’s bridge”. This is because, of course, I didn’t have any drawings. I just showed our mechanic (this is our headman) with my palm: this is this way, and this is that way. He buzzed the tape measure near his palm and did everything as it should. So look at me and tell your locksmiths how convenient it will be based on your height:
Here, actually...