Shelf for icons: rules, wishes, tips

Orthodoxy began to return to the homes of ordinary inhabitants of the former Soviet Union from the very beginning of perestroika. For many it helped to survive hard and even hopeless times. But entering our house, it largely left open questions that either had no time to ask, or at one time there was nowhere to find an answer.

First of all, according to Orthodox rules, icons should be assigned their own corner, called red, in which the shelf for icons is placed. Just like the church altar, this angle is oriented to the east. By the way, "angle" is only a name, icons can be placed on the eastern wall.

Of course, the ideal option will be a corner shelf for icons. It is more conspicuous and at the same time more secluded, cozier for prayers and more harmonious for the overall look of the apartment (although this is already vain motives). But in modern apartment conditions, the ideal is almost impossible to achieve. Modern Orthodoxy allows - if the size of the dwelling and the accompanying furniture arrangement does not give it another possibility - use a sideboard or cupboard as a dumpling. A prerequisite - and in this case the shelf for icons should be separate, on it should not be placed other objects. In the most unfortunate case, you can use a nightstand, a piano, a chest of drawers or a bookshelf in this capacity.

In no case is the place used as a shelf for icons, can not be used to store secular (and even sinful) things - cosmetics, knickknacks, fiction, family photos; Posters are hanging nearby, unwanted pictures (even with biblical subjects) and photographs of monks, priests and righteous people (the photo still captures momentary moments).

As for how the shelves under the icon should look - it all depends on who lovingly equips his home red corner. A good idea is to make such shelves yourself - this will be an additional stimulus for pious thoughts. At the same time, fantasy can tell you the most unexpected options for icon shelves. Jig sawing, burning, wood carving - everything can be applied in this case. It is possible and ultra-modern design icons: let it be glass, metal or stone. Just do not forget that the shelf created is for icons, so it is worth supplying it with Orthodox motives: domes, plant ornaments, crosses. Otherwise, you risk not getting a good shelf under the icon, but something more suitable for a biker or a fan of heavy rock.

By the way, the shelves under the icon can be multi-tier, but then it's worth talking to the priest in the church about the correct placement of images - there are rules on this matter.

Again: the shelves for icons, angular in particular, are still preferable to other ways of keeping the saints in the room. It seems that even in the smallest apartment a true believer can allocate a small place for a home iconostasis. And even if he is not on the canonical eastern wall (the orientation of our houses around the world is quite bizarre) - the church admits this. If only faith was sincere.