- a. The iconostasis is one of the ways of showing reverence to the “Mystery of the Altar” or the “Mystery of Christ the Sacrifice,” without being separated from the concept of God’s love. The Holy Scriptures always combine fear and reverence with love, as God says: “If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence?" (Mal. 1:6). This reverence for the sacrifice in the Orthodox understanding does not suggest a passive role of the lay people in the liturgical service. Rather, the divine liturgy is the work of the whole Church together, clergy and laity.
- b. The iconostasis with all its icons provides a heavenly atmosphere for worship. St. John Chrysostom says, “as if man is transferred to heaven itself, to stand before the
1214 Léonide Ouspensky and Vladimir Lossky, The Meaning of Icons (Crestwood, N.Y: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1982): p. 59.
King’s throne and to fly with the Seraphim.”1215 Through the cross, the heavenly world and the earthly world were reconciled.
- c. The iconostasis confesses that our fathers and brethren who departed in the Lord are not far from us. The iconostasis acts as a symbol for reserving the first portion of the nave of the church for the saints who are, in fact, one with their brethren still on earth.
The Fathers cited
- St. John Chrysostom