Frankly speaking, I am familiar with some things concerning the Orthodox Church since when I was a little child my grandmother used to take me to the church, she told me about Jesus and the Bible. When we entered the church, she told me about the icons, the altar. And she tried to call my attention to the iconostasis, especially to the central holy doors. She explained that it was one of the most important places in the church. So this video reminded me of some facts that I have unfortunately already forgotten, and also taught me many new things, like for instance the size of the doors, why they should not be to the ceiling and so on. It was very educating to learn some new facts about the doors that are situated to the left and to the right from the holy doors, about the images of saints who are painted in the icons. But still the main question for me is why the icons are hung there exactly in this order, and what the importance of the chosen variant is.
I would like to say that this video about history and structure of iconostasis was very interesting for me. Iconostasis is a unicque wall, a place where icons stand. It is not only a manifictation of art it is an ancient part of Orthodox church. As I understand iconstasis has a special symbolic meaning. It is like a border between two different worlds. It is a boundary between human and devine worlds. It represents something spiritual and lofty. Looking at the icons everybody feels something special and What do you feel?
This winter i began to sing songs in a church’s choir. That is why i know not much but enough about it. This video gave me an additional information about the inner decoration of the church. By the way it can be very helpful to know how many apostles are on the iconostasis, how many entrances are in the church. What is more interesting for you in this video?
The weight of the gorgeous construction of the iconostasis staggers a person when he is in church. As for me, I confess I never paid close attention to the content of the iconostasis: I saw that it has three doors and the priest uses them during the liturgy but never even got curious to learn what they are called and what their purpose is. So my personal impression of the iconostasis was holistic rather than setting on some analysis. I'm sure the main aim of the iconostasis is to symbolize the path to salvation in the heaven. It also reminds us of the great mission of Jesus Christ who paid his life for the future union of people. The iconostasis serves the same purpose: it brings the believers together. And it is not by chance that the wall of the iconostasis does not reach the ceiling - so there are no partitions between the faithful, or at least, they do nor reach the heaven. But why do not some people bear this idea in mind?
From Rina and Asya We find the video very informative and instructive. It describes the structure of the iconostasis and explains its symbolic meaning. Traditionally there are three doors, each of them having their own special purpose. The central doors of the iconostasis are called "holy doors". To the right and to the left there are so-called "angels' doors" with Archangels Michael and Gabriel depicted on them. "Symbolically, the door depicting Michael serves as the entrance as he is the Defender. And the door depicting Gabriel is the exit as he is the Messenger". The iconostasis serves as a border between the corporal and the divine. So, the iconostasis is an indispensable component of the altar representing such important scenes from the Bible as Crucifixion and Resurrection. Christian iconostases look the same everywhere but where does this tradition come from? Who created the structure of the iconostasis? What caused its creation?
The importance of iconstasis is a well-known fact. It was very interesting to learn that the images of Michael and Gabriel guide Northern and Southern gates in the church. Iconstasis is the greatest symbol of the Orthodox Church. It represents the Heaven, the Earth and life of people under the influence of God's will, and the history of Christian religion. To conclude it can be said that the whole essence of iconostasis is that it symbolizes the bridge between the corporeal and the divine. There also some questions concerning the iconostasis. Who has the right to fill it with icons? Is it necessary to save the order of the divine images in it? What is so symbolic about iconostasis?
It seems to be difficult to understand the order of the divine images. A man in the street can't easily understand the essence of iconostasis. Unfortunately, we visit churches very seldom. But still being there, standing in front of the walls with icons, looking into the eyes of saints and Trinity, one can feel calm, the importance of Faith, the importance of unity of the whole christian world. The atmosphere in church makes peace in one's soul. We've never thought of deep meaning of iconostasis while visiting the church. This video episode made us look deeper into this church attribute.
