In Eastern Christianity an iconostasis (the plural is iconostases, whose last syllable rhymes with ease) is a wall of icons, 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. The modern iconostasis evolved from the Byzantine templon in the fifteenth century.

The word comes from the Greek "εικονοστάσι(-ον)" (still in common use in Greece and Cyprus), which means 'a stand to put icons'.

The North and South Doors are often called "deacons' doors" because the deacons use them frequently; often, icons of sainted deacons are depicted on these doors (particularly St. Stephen Protomartyr and St. Ephrem the Syrian). Alternatively, Angels' doors is also an appropriate term since the Archangels Michael and Gabriel are often depicted there. They are often casually referred to as the "side doors".

A number of guidelines or rubrics govern which icons are on which parts of the iconostasis, although there is some room for variation. In its fullest Slavic development it comprised five tiers of icons.

The bottom tier is sometimes called Sovereign. On the right side of the Beautiful Gates (from the nave facing forward) is an icon of Christ, and on the left side is an icon of the Virgin Mary. Other icons on this tier beside those on the doors themselves usually include depictions of the saint or feast to which the church is dedicated, St. John the Baptist, St. Nicholas, one or more of the Four Evangelists etc.

The top two tiers, which are also interchangeable with each other, depict the Old Testament Prophets and Patriarchs, the latter including the twelve sons of Jacob. Occasionally one may find yet more tiers of smaller icons depicting saints of specially fervent local devotion. It is also not uncommon to find an icon of the Mystical Supper, which depicts the Communion of Saints in the Kingdom of God, somewhere above the Beautiful Gates.

The Sovereign tier is always present, but all the others may be omitted. Preference is given to the Deisis or the Feasts tiers if only some of them can be included. Only the largest and most elaborate iconostases include all five.

There are also rules for who should enter or leave the sanctuary by which door. Neither the Beautiful Gates nor the space between them and the altar may be used by laity under any circumstances, although male infants are brought into the altar through them in the "churching" rite. Bishops may enter by the Beautiful Gates at any time; priests and deacons may do so at specific times during the services when the Gates are open. All others enter the sanctuary through the side doors. Laity usually allowed to enter the sanctuary include those involved in the running of the particular church, i.e. cantors and choristers, altar boys, church keepers and commissioners, etc. Entering the sanctuary for no good reason or without a blessing is forbidden even if no religious service is held at the time. These guidelines were developed over the course of many centuries, with both theologically symbolic and practical reasons for them.

The Iconostasis does not really "separate" the nave and the Holy of Holies yet, brings them together. The Iconostasis is the link between heaven (the Holy of Holies) and the nave (The Holy Place). Therefore everything is symbolic upon the Iconostasis. The Icons of Christ the Theotokos and various saints and feasts are there because Christ, the Theotokos, the saints etc., lead us and guide us into the Holy of Holies. Therefore the personages on the Icons upon the Iconostasis guide us into heaven, and therefore the Iconostasis connects not separates. The Icons upon the Iconostasis also are windows and bridges into heaven (although all icons, no matter where, are windows and bridges into heaven).

The rood screen found in Roman Catholic churches and cathedrals in many parts of Europe (particularly in England) in late medieval times, occupied a similar position but had a different function.

Eastern Orthodoxy | Eastern Rite Catholicism | Oriental Orthodoxy | Eastern Orthodox icons | Church architecture

Ikonostas | Ikonostase | Ikonostaasi | Iconostase | Iconostasi | イコノスタシス | Iconostase | Ikonostas | Iconóstase | Иконостас | Ikonostas | Ikonostas | Іконостас