Historical Prospective of the Liturgy-Part III

DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

ICONOSTAS

ipodiakonos zoran j. bobic

Iconostas – Meaning… Sanctuary is the dwelling-place of God on earth;

It is Holy by the Eucharistic presence of Christ himself;

We call it: “Holy Place” or “Holy of Holies”;

Iconostas:

a). Royal Doors (Holy Doors)

b). Deacon’s Doors

Iconostas: it bears representations of the inhabitants of heaven, of which the sanctuary is a symbol;

Iconostas: is far from meaning of being static or symbolic;

Iconostas: primary role is dynamic, functional and separates the sanctuary from the body of the Church;

Iconostas – History…

Origin: Church of Syria, where veil hid the sanctuary (close to 4th century);

St. John Chrysostom speaks in Antioch about the veil in A.D. 390;

Veil was introduced to “hide” and “separate” form faithful;

After Arian controversy and Nicaean dogma even more to “hide”;

Iconostas has an architectural parent: the “Cancelli”;

“Cancelli” – found in 4th century: Rome, Syria and Palestine;

“Cancelli” – trellis wall of marble, 3-5 ft. high dividing sanctuary;

The present iconostas, carefully prescribed arrangement was

Introduced in the early 14th century;