Icon corner?

[the_Abbot]

WOW! I love these icon corners.

 

[27B6]

Thanks for sharing these.


Actually I have a question. How does the practice of the icon corner vary across different cultures. For example, I spent some time in Japan, and over there most (non-Christian/non-Orthodox) homes keep a little home altar for the ancestors, Buddha, etc. before which they pray or make offerings each day. I wonder what Orthodox Japanese do in their homes? Are their icon corners like those in Russia since the Japanese Church is affiliated with the Russian Church? Or do they have some mixed customs? Just curious if anyone here knows.

 

[Protoevangel]

Not much yet. The first one is above my nightstand. The second one is my living room.

I do have a set of Christ and the Theotokos on order, though.

I also have an small alcove in my living room (used to be a built-in fireplace) on the east wall, that my wife has agreed to let me use.

 

[E.C.]

This is on the small northern wall (window took eastern wall )

I still can't figure out who should occupy the space to the left of the Russian martyrs.

St. Patrick is there for two reasons. 1) I'm part Irish and 2) the Catholic school I went to for many years was named after him.

This was taken before I added a few crosses hanging from Sts. Constantine and Patrick.

 

[Anatole]

Thank you all for sharing your beautiful icon corners and giving, not only me, but everyone a glimpse into your homes. This has been very fun to see, but also very helpful into seeing what I'm supposed to do to create my own icon corner.

 

[foxsta]

It makes my efforts for a Orthodox-looking prayer corner look pathetic lol! Its getting there though

 

[Greg the byzantine]

My "Icon Corner" is really just an IKEA shelf above my desk, with little paper icons on it.

Close ups:

However when I pray I do it here:

This is the top of a nightstand next to one of the beds in my room.

 

[Michael G]

It makes my efforts for a Orthodox-looking prayer corner look pathetic lol! Its getting there though

 

[Silentchapel]

(He's Catholic)

 

[Michael G]

(He's Catholic)

That is not what I am scraching my head at. Why would a Catholic want to make their icon corner "look Orthodox"?

 

[foxsta]

Firstly, I'm thinking of going Eastern Orthodox. Secondly, it does currently have Catholic influences, ie: a picture of the Divine Mercy. There are things I admire about Orthodoxy, (although I think I'll stick with Rome sorry ) such as icons and the mystical look of it all...it looks cool lol! All the priest's prayer room I have seen (Catholic) look very Orthodox......

 

[Michael G]

Firstly, I'm thinking of going Eastern Orthodox. Secondly, it does currently have Catholic influences, ie: a picture of the Divine Mercy. There are things I admire about Orthodoxy, (although I think I'll stick with Rome sorry ) such as icons and the mystical look of it all...it looks cool lol! All the priest's prayer room I have seen (Catholic) look very Orthodox......

I don't mean to nitpick, just wondering why you would want something to look Orthodox when you are not Orthodox.

 

[E.C.]

My "Icon Corner" is really just an IKEA shelf above my desk, with little paper icons on it.

Hey, what ever works!

 

[foxsta]

I don't mean to nitpick, just wondering why you would want something to look Orthodox when you are not Orthodox.

I think I'll just have to answer...because I do...never mind...

 

[Michael G]

My "Icon Corner" is really just an IKEA shelf above my desk, with little paper icons on it.

Close ups:

However when I pray I do it here:

This is the top of a nightstand next to one of the beds in my room.

It might be simple, but it is very nicely done!

 

[cassc]

Not much yet. The first one is above my nightstand. The second one is my living room.

I do have a set of Christ and the Theotokos on order, though.

I also have an small alcove in my living room (used to be a built-in fireplace) on the east wall, that my wife has agreed to let me use.

You can never be underwhelmed in prayer! Icons are after all aids in our spiritual growth and as wonderful as these all are, it is not about quantity of icons it's how you se them. I know of a few people who have many wonderful icons displaced in a lovely manor but they never pray in front of them which is sooo sad!

 

[Michael G]

You can never be underwhelmed in prayer! Icons are after all aids in our spiritual growth and as wonderful as these all are, it is not about quantity of icons it's how you se them. I know of a few people who have many wonderful icons displaced in a lovely manor but they never pray in front of them which is sooo sad!

Yes icon corners are not a competition. It is better to have a simple icon corner that you fervently pray before than to have an elaborate one that you do not pray before.

 

[Anatole]

I have another question. I have heard that Christ icon is supposed to be at the top and no other icons other than His should be placed at a higher level, is this true?
It does make since!

 

[Michael G]

I have another question. I have heard that Christ icon is supposed to be at the top and no other icons other than His should be placed at a higher level, is this true?
It does make since!

I am not sure if there are specific rules about icon corners. That would make sense that Christ be at the top, being he is the Son of God and thus supercedes all saints and the Theotokos. At the very top of the iconostasis, however, there is always supposed to be an icon of Christ on the cross.

 

[Shubunkin]

All very beautiful. I have two icon corners. One faces west (I pray facing east), and one facing north (I only do "emergency" prayers at this one) so I'm facing south to pray. I may combine the two some day if I can get enough room to do so.