Iconostasis?

[Chocolatesa]

I was just wondering about your opinions on the necessity/reasons of having an iconostasis in an Orthodox church. From what I've heard from the Orthodox priest I spoke to it's not absolutely necessary, it was added on later after the Church started, that sometimes it's only a simple railing. Also that's it's not meant to hide anything since there's nothing to hide, only to symbolize that what is behind it isn't just any table, that it's holy ground.

 

[Michael G]

I will write more about the iconostasis later but I will say this: he is right that the iconostasis is a recent development (past 1000 years) and not absolutely necessary. However, the movements of the Divine Liturgy would make very little sense without the iconostasis. And no, it is not there as a division but rather as a bridge between the people and the saints.

 

[ClementofRome]

I will write more about the iconostasis later but I will say this: he is right that the iconostasis is a recent development (past 1000 years) and not absolutely necessary. However, the movements of the Divine Liturgy would make very little sense without the iconostasis. And no, it is not there as a division but rather as a bridge between the people and the saints.

Man, I really appreciate that!

 

[Greg the byzantine]

It's my understanding that their has always been some sort of barrier between the nave and the sanctuary to divide the Holy Space, and physically seperate the space. As time went on the barriers became more ornamented and iconography was eventually added. Soon the location of the iconography became symbolic and the meaning of the icon screen began to grow, and has basically evolved with the church over time (Yes the church does grow it doesn't remain stagnant as some people would have you believe). Now It's become a pretty important feature in most Orthodox temples. And while it's not essential to an Orthodox temple, it certainly makes the altar look less naked and makes the temple less identifiable as an orthodox church (here's one example):

 

[buzuxi02]

I will write more about the iconostasis later but I will say this: he is right that the iconostasis is a recent development (past 1000 years) and not absolutely necessary. However, the movements of the Divine Liturgy would make very little sense without the iconostasis. And no, it is not there as a division but rather as a bridge between the people and the saints.

I cant wait to read it.

From what i understand the origins of the iconostasis was not an iconostasis at all. In the very early Church, the laity would lay food, and other artifacts to be blessed, also they would place lamps and other candles, this would create a "mini wall" or seperation and from their the iconostasis evolved.

 

[MariaRegina]

It's my understanding that their has always been some sort of barrier between the nave and the sanctuary to divide the Holy Space, and physically seperate the space. As time went on the barriers became more ornamented and iconography was eventually added. Soon the location of the iconography became symbolic and the meaning of the icon screen began to grow, and has basically evolved with the church over time (Yes the church does grow it doesn't remain stagnant as some people would have you believe). Now It's become a pretty important feature in most Orthodox temples. And while it's not essential to an Orthodox temple, it certainly makes the altar look naked and makes the temple less identifiable as an orthodox church (here's one example):

Is that St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, California? Land of the fruity nuts and flakes?

Wow! That rail reminds me of the traditional communion rail in the pre-Vatican II Catholic Churches.

 

[Michael G]

I agree Aria. The church depicted looks like a Pre-Vatican II Roman Catholic Church and not like an Orthodox Church. How sad?!

 

[Greg the byzantine]

Is that St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, California? Land of the fruity nuts and flakes?

Wow! That rail reminds me of the traditional communion rail in the pre-Vatican II Catholic Churches.

Yes it is.

Hopefully by now they have painted more iconography on the walls. The other great thing about that silly rail, it's probably very very easy to remove and replace with a real icon screen.

 

[authiodionitist]

There's a priest here in Seattle who used to be a pastor at St Paul's in Irvine. Next time I see him I should ask him about it.............

On the point of the iconostasis:
While it is not necessary it makes theological sense. The experience of all the saints and of who the Lord is makes it so that the iconostasis as bridge (as Michael put it) just...fits.

There is a danger, however. In the late medieval period, many Churches put up a full wall, and made the iconostasis not a bridge or a simple separator but an entirely different church because of the intense separation. This is one contribution to clericalism in the Orthodox Church which is at times problematic.....

 

[Michael G]

There's a priest here in Seattle who used to be a pastor at St Paul's in Irvine. Next time I see him I should ask him about it.............

On the point of the iconostasis:
While it is not necessary it makes theological sense. The experience of all the saints and of who the Lord is makes it so that the iconostasis as bridge (as Michael put it) just...fits.

There is a danger, however. In the late medieval period, many Churches put up a full wall, and made the iconostasis not a bridge or a simple separator but an entirely different church because of the intense separation. This is one contribution to clericalism in the Orthodox Church which is at times problematic.....

I see no danger in the classical Russian Iconostasis that you mention, the one that goes almost to the ceiling. Those iconostases are quite beautiful and quite full of meaning and are not spiritually dangerous at all, but are actually a beautiful bridge between God and man.

 

[jckstraw72]

well some would argue that it was a factor that contributed to infrequent communion as it completely cuts off the laity from whats going on back there.

 

[wynd]

Here is a good essay by Father Stephen Freeman on the iconostasis.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

The English Church had a "Rood (meaning Cross) Screen" in place of an iconostas, but it served the same purpose. Some Anglican parishes may still have them.

Mary

 

[Chocolatesa]

Thank you for all your replies!