The Iconostasis (Greek: ikonostasis) - The Picture Wall

An independent and perhaps the most important liturgical edifice of the Orthodox Church is the iconostasis - the picture wall or partition. It separates the chancel, which is experienced spiritually and  is accessible only to the priests and deacons, from the nave or Church hall, where the believers congregate.  It therefore constitutes the dividing line between the divine and the earthly world. In one respect, it is believed that this "partition" symbolizes what was originally the "curtain" in Jewish temples, which separated the altar from the rest of the temple, whilst in another it is thought to have developed from the early-Christian choir barriers (cancelli).  It corresponds also to the “Lettner” (lectern) in the Gothic churches of the West.
The complicated history of development of the iconostasis has many different stages.  Over the course of time the partition, which once consisted simply of curtains, became a solid wall of splendidly crafted woodwork, which framed four or five rows, sometimes more, of icons.
Like Orthodox liturgy, the iconostasis reached its ultimate form during the fourteenth century.  In the Balkan countries it remained a relatively low structure, whereas in Russia it reached high into the nave.  .
One remaining allusion to the curtains in the Jewish temple is the curtain usually found above the door.  On the right-hand side of the so-called Royal Gates or royal, holy Gate, the patron saint of the church is represented.

The most important part of the iconostasis, the Deesis (the intercession group, Greek: supplication, prayer), also called Tschin (Russian cin = order, rank) is located above the Royal Gates with depictions of the preaching of the Gospel and the four evangelists.  The Deesis usually portrays the enthroned Pantokrator (Omnipotent Ruler) Jesus Christ, Saviour of the World in the centre, on the left Mary, Mother of God and on the right John the Baptist , the precursor, both facing toward Jesus Christ and in the pose of intercession.  Between this group (occasionally shown on its own = small Deesis) and the Royal Gates one may sometimes find, in addition, the Communion. 

On the left-and right are the archangels, apostles, saints (martyrs, great miracle-workers, Church teachers).  The “Tchin” illustrates the intercession of the Church for the sins of the world.  The earthly congregation is thus constantly reminded of the spiritual world’s endeavours for their salvation.  Above the Tchin are the twelve most important Church holidays (11), to which are often added some less important ones.  The Church holidays, considered by the Orthodox Church to be the “pearls of the divine dogmas” are the essential elements of Orthodox teaching.  They represent a sort of painted catechism.  Above the row of celebration or holiday icons we find the row of the prophets of the Old Testament (12), each turning to face the depiction of God’s anthropogenesis, namely the Mother of God of the Sign (Znamenie), who symbolizes the Old Testament Church’s belief in redemption.  The uppermost row represents the early progenitors from Adam to Moses (13), centred around the holy Trinity or the Crucifixion.  Apart from the Royal Gates, the picture wall has two other doors left and right of the Tchin.  The icons displayed here are not arranged in any strict, binding schema.  They harmonize with the church’s character and local traditions.  The area between the doors is grouped together as a "veneration sequence" because these icons are accessible to the believers, the people, and thus are the immediate object of their veneration. 
 

 

1	Holy Trinity	17	Descent into Hell	32	Apostle Paul
2	Mother of God	18	Women bearers of Myrrh	33	Basilius the Great
3	Crucifixion	19	Christ’s Ascension	34	Great Martyr George
4	Apostle John	20	Pentecost	35	Maria Magdalene
5	Prophet Moses	21	Transfigurtion	36	Deacon Romanus
6	Prophet Zechariah	22	Slumber of Mother of God	37	Apostle Matthew
7	Prophet David	23	Empress Helena	38	Mother of God
8	Mother of God	24	Deacon Stephen	39	Eucharist
9	Prophet Solomon	25	John with Golden Mouth	40	John the Evangelist
10	Prophet Ezekiel	26	Apostle Peter	41	Matthew the Evangelist
11	Prophet Elias	27	Archangel Michael	42	Eucharist
12	Vision of the Temple	28	Mother of God	43	Luke the Evangelist
13	Birth of Christ	29	Christ the Omnipotent Rulerr	44	Mark the Evangelist
14	Baptism of Christ	30	John the Baptist	45	Christ
15	Preaching of the Gospel	31	Archangel Gabriel	46	Athanasius the Great
16	Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem			47	Archdeacon Laurentius