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 purpose of the iconostasis in Hagia Sophia was to close of sections of the altar, which were only accessible to the clergy.

Why is there an iconostasis?

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.

What is the genesis of iconostasis?

The iconostasis is a vertical element commonly found in Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches. It serves as a division between the sanctuary and the nave, and several religious figures are represented on it. It originated from the Jewish tradition of separating the congregation leader from the faithful.

What is an iconostasis used for?

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 is inside an Orthodox church?

The Church building is divided into three main parts: the narthex (vestibule), the nave (the temple proper) and the sanctuary (also called the altar or holy place). A major difference of traditional Orthodox churches from Western churches is the absence of any pews in the nave.

What are church doors called?

The royal doors, holy doors, or beautiful gates are the central doors of the iconostasis in an Eastern Orthodox or Eastern Catholic church. In Orthodox Churches, the sanctuary (sometimes called the Altar, which contains the Holy Table) is separated from the nave by a wooden screen called the iconostasis.

Why are altars called altars?

An altar is a raised area in a house of worship where people can honor God with offerings. The word altar comes from the Latin altārium, meaning “high,” and also to the Latin adolere, which means “to ritually burn or sacrifice,” which suggests its early purpose as detailed in the Bible.

What is meant by the term iconostasis?

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

Why do churches have 3 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.

What is the meaning of the word basilica?

1 : an oblong building ending in a semicircular apse used in ancient Rome especially for a court of justice and place of public assembly. 2 : an early Christian church building consisting of nave and aisles with clerestory and a large high transept from which an apse projects.

What is the leader of the Greek Orthodox church called?

The nominal head of the Eastern Orthodox Churches is the Patriarch of Constantinople.

Why are Russian churches so colorful?

The color of church cupolas can be also interpreted according to the church symbolism. The golden color is the symbol of celestial glory, that is why golden domes crowned main cathedrals consecrated to Jesus Christ and Twelve Great Feasts. Blue domes with golden stars are characteristic of Mother of God churches.

What does it mean to have an iconostasis?

An iconostasis (also iconostas or icon screen) is a screen or wall which serves as a stable support for icons and marks the boundary between the nave and the altar or sanctuary. The term can also refer to a folding, portable set of icons.

Who is the curator of the iconostasio collection?

ICONOSTASIO is a collection of genuine objects curated by Greek art collector, gallerist and writer Tassos A. Gkekas. “I have most carefully selected each item according to my personal everyday needs.

Where was the altar hidden behind an iconostasis?

The altar was hidden behind an Iconostasis. The church was looked after by an old sacristan who lived in a cottage on the shore of the lake.

How is the iconostasis related to the Holy of Holies?

The Iconostasis does not really “separate” the nave from the Holy of Holies; rather, it 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.