What is an iconostasis in a church?

What is an iconostasis in a church?

iconostasis, in Eastern Christian churches of Byzantine tradition, a solid screen of stone, wood, or metal, usually separating the sanctuary from the nave. In later churches it extends the width of the sanctuary, though the height may vary, and is covered with panel icons.

What is the purpose of the iconostasis?

In Eastern Christianity, an iconostasis is a wall of icons and religious paintings, used to separate the nave (the main body of the church where most of the worshippers stand) from the sanctuary (the area around the altar, east of the nave). The sanctuary is usually a few steps higher than the nave.

What does the word iconostasis mean?

Definition of iconostasis : a screen or partition with doors and tiers of icons that separates the bema from the nave in Eastern churches.

Do Catholic churches have iconostasis?

In catholic churches they were to be removed after the council of Trent 1547-1563, so you’ll find a true medieval equivalent of the iconostase usually in protestant churches.

What is the genesis of iconostasis?

In Eastern Christianity, an iconostasis (Greek: εἰκονοστάσιον) is a wall of icons and religious paintings, separating the nave from the sanctuary in a church. The iconostasis evolved from the Byzantine templon, a process complete by the 15th century.

What is an Orthodox iconostasis?

In Eastern Christianity, an iconostasis (Greek: εἰκονοστάσιον) is a wall of icons and religious paintings, separating the nave from the sanctuary in a church. Iconostasis also refers to a portable icon stand that can be placed anywhere within a church.

What is the Holy and Divine Liturgy?

Divine Liturgy (Greek: Θεία Λειτουργία, translit. Theia Leitourgia) or Holy Liturgy is the Eucharistic service of the Byzantine Rite, developed from the Antiochene Rite of Christian liturgy which is that of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Did Hagia Sophia have an iconostasis?

Iconostasis can also be seen in Hagia Sophia, in Istanbul Turkey. Once a Christian basilica, then an imperial mosque, and now a museum; Hagia Sophia has a fifty foot silver iconostasis in it. The iconostasis was removed when Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque, and was returned when it was turned into a museum.

Why do cathedrals have three doors?

The iconostasis represents Christian continuity from the veil of the Temple in Jerusalem which separated the people from the Holy of Holies that housed the Ark of the Covenant. Normally, the iconostasis has three doors in it. These are the doors that the clergy will normally use when entering the sanctuary.

How do you say iconostasis?

noun, plural i·co·nos·ta·ses [ahy-kuh-nos-tuh-seez].

What does liturgy mean in Christianity?

Christian liturgy is a pattern for worship used (whether recommended or prescribed) by a Christian congregation or denomination on a regular basis. The term liturgy comes from Greek and means “public work”. In most Christian traditions, liturgies are presided over by clergy wherever possible.