Some revered holy faces can be seen both in churches, monasteries, and in Christian homes. These include the miraculous Seven-Arrow Icon: where is the best place to hang the image of the Most Pure Mother of God in the house, read on.

Icons depicting the Savior, the Mother of God, and Christian saints are not objects for interior decoration or ordinary amulets. Orthodox images are real shrines through which believers turn to God. They occupy a special place in a person’s heart, in his home, are carefully stored and passed on from grandfathers and fathers to children. Traditionally, iconostases were created in Christian homes, which consisted of the most revered, powerful and important images for a particular family. The icons were placed in a prominent place of honor.

Seven-shot icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary

An ignorant person, looking at the face of the Mother of God of the Seven-Shot Icon, may be surprised. The Virgin Mary appears alone in the image, her gaze expresses restrained sorrow, her head is slightly tilted to the side. What is most striking is the image of seven arrows, which are aimed directly at the heart of the Virgin Mary. Three arrows (or swords) are written on the left side, and four on the right (although the reverse arrangement is possible).

There is also an icon on which there are three arrows on the right and left, the seventh is at the bottom. The last option is another icon, known under several names: “The Softening of Evil Hearts” or “Simeon’s Prophecy.” The images have almost identical meaning and prayer power.

Prophecy of Elder Simeon

To understand the meaning of the Seven Shot Image, one should turn to the Gospel narrative. The holy elder Simeon the God-Receiver, who was translating sacred texts, was destined to die only after he saw the Messiah. The old man had been waiting for this hour for almost 270 years. And then the Holy Spirit appeared to Simeon with the message that the cherished day had come and he should go to the Temple of the city of Jerusalem.

On the fortieth day after the birth of the Infant Christ, the Most Pure Virgin Mary, together with her husband, the righteous Joseph the Betrothed, brought him to the Jerusalem Temple for dedication, as required by the traditions of the Old Testament. On the threshold, Simeon met the Holy Family with the Messiah, expected by all the people of Judea. He took Jesus in his arms and blessed him. Then, turning to Mary, he prophetically uttered the words that thanks to this Baby, some will ascend, others will fall, and the Mother of God herself will be pierced by a sharp weapon in her soul.

The last words about weapons, like many other moments in the life of Jesus Christ, have many meanings. First of all, this is an allegorical description of the severe hardships, suffering, and sorrow that the Most Pure Virgin Mary had to endure, seeing the crucifixion of the Savior Christ. The number seven itself in the Christian tradition means completeness, fullness of something. The icons, which depict a plot with seven arrows (swords) piercing the heart of the Virgin Mary, are illustrations of this prophecy, but carry a broader meaning applied to the human race. Seven sharp arrows are an allegorical image of the seven mortal human sins that cause suffering and pain to the merciful heart of the Holy Intercessor.

Finding a miraculous image

Today, no one can determine exactly when the image of the Seven-Shot Mother of God appeared, or who exactly was the author of the icon. The first time the image appeared to people in the 15th century, this event could not have happened without Divine Providence.

Not far from the city of Vologda (Kadnikovsky district) there lived a peasant who had been suffering from incurable lameness and painful weakness for a long time. He tirelessly turned to God asking for healing, since other tried methods did not help. One day the Most Pure Mother of God appeared to him in a dream. She ordered the man to find Her miraculous image in the bell tower at the Church of St. John the Theologian, to pray with great faith before it, and healing would be granted.

Not daring to disobey and believing in the power of the Mother of God image, the peasant went twice to the indicated temple. But they didn’t want to let him in, simply not believing the story. And only the third time they allowed us to go to the bell tower. The icon with the Mother of God pierced by seven arrows was found very quickly; it was located face down at the turn of the stairs. The monks and bell ringers felt confusion, because without knowing it they had stepped on the icon many times. The seven-shot image was cleaned of dirt. They brought him into the temple and served a prayer service. The peasant kneeled with faith and prayed to the Mother of God for healing and intercession - and the illness went away.

This was the first miraculous healing, the fame of which quickly spread many kilometers from Vologda. Other cases followed. In 1830, outbreaks of cholera suddenly appeared in the villages of the Vologda region. The epidemic spread quickly, then people began to fervently pray to the Seven-Arrow Icon of the Mother of God and walked around the temple in a procession of the cross. After this, the disease began to fade away, and the people began to recover. Since then, the icon has gained fame as an assistant in the fight against cholera and other terrible diseases.

Where to place the Seven Arrow Icon

Favorite Orthodox icons most often hang above the front door, at the head of the bed, or in a special place such as an iconostasis. The seven-shot image of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the most powerful, which is why it is often chosen for home.

There are no strict rules regarding the location of the icon, but some advice given by priests should be heeded:

• It is advisable to place the Seven-Shot Image of the Virgin Mary on one of the eastern walls of the apartment/house. If this is not possible, hang it at the head of the bed, above or preferably opposite the front door.
• When planning to allocate a corner to set up a home iconostasis, make sure in advance that the place is within easy reach for cleaning. Icons should be kept clean.
• There should be no household items (cosmetics, jewelry, toys, talismans, aroma lamps, souvenirs) on the shelf or wall next to the icon or home iconostasis.
• Personal photographs and paintings also have no place near the icons. When saying your prayers, turn to the Mother of God, Jesus, the saints, and not to archival photos of even people very dear to you. Store such photos in other places or hang them on another wall. Even paintings on biblical themes are inappropriate next to shrines.
• If you want to have a large number of icons at home, do not place them on one small shelf. Relics should not cover one another. Plan out the composition on the wall, try to arrange the images symmetrically so that each one is clearly visible and accessible.
• Traditionally, you should not hang one Seven-Arrow icon over the dining table. The image of the Savior would be more appropriate here. In Christian families, the Lord's Prayer is read before meals. Sometimes cooked food is also sanctified with Thanks to the Lord.
• The seven-shot icon is close in content to the image “Softening Evil Hearts,” so it can be hung in a nursery next to or instead of the face of the Guardian Angel or the child’s patron saint.

Before the Seven Arrow Shrine one should pray for an end to troubles and quarrels; it will give peace and tranquility to every home, preserve and strengthen family ties, improve relationships and mutual understanding between spouses. Prayerful appeals to this image of the Most Pure Virgin Mary help soften the hearts of unkind people, envious people, and ill-wishers. The Mother of God will protect you from serious illnesses and injuries, and if an illness appears, she will help you overcome it faster. The main thing is to remember that it is not enough to buy an icon you like and hang it on the wall. Sincere constant prayer with faith in the mercy and power of the Heavenly Queen is necessary. And by faith, everyone will be granted prosperity and healing.

There is, according to theologians, an ancient legend about how, even during her earthly life, the Most Holy Theotokos decided, with the help of the Evangelist Luke, to leave a memory of herself to people. So that there would be a special Divine sign for them, bringing the grace of the Mother of God. Precisely and subtly copied by a talented artist and healer of human souls, the image of the Madonna with the Child Jesus in her arms served as the primary source for thousands of painted icons.

It is understandable that people want to always have a piece of a holy image at home, but many do not know how to properly hang icons in the house. What mistakes do Christian believers who are not educated in this matter most often make?

Where in the room should I place the home iconostasis?

Images of saints should be given a special and honorable place. According to the testimony of the Orthodox fathers, who knew where to hang the icon correctly, the images were usually placed on the eastern side of the largest room in the house. But, if for some significant reason it is not possible to equip a “red corner” for an iconostasis in the living room or hall, then you can use any other convenient place. The main thing is that it is not cluttered and neat.

It is not allowed to be located nearby:

• art paintings;
• photographs of deceased relatives;
• TV, music center;
• souvenirs and non-Orthodox books.
• attributes of other religions (figurines, idols).

A free approach to icons is needed to perform sincere prayers with a kneeling request for help and praise to the holy images.

How many icons can you have and how to purchase them?

For a home iconostasis there are no categorical requirements regarding the number of holy images in it. There may be several or even one. It is important that each icon is revered, understandable and close to the people living in the house.

They should know:

• what words to use to communicate with God through a miraculous list;
• the face of one of the saints is depicted on it;
• in what cases can one turn to the image;
• how and under what circumstances did humanity acquire an icon;
• when is it celebrated?
• where a genuine example of icon painting is kept.

Believers should not adhere to unfounded superstitions that icons cannot be bought or given to loved ones. Any option for the honest acquisition of a holy image is acceptable.

True illuminated icons are distributed mainly through church shops operating at churches and monasteries. There are also houses of icons, where, with the blessing of a church minister, masters of icon painting are allowed to make copyright copies of famous sacred images.

What is not considered an icon and how to deal with it?

Calendars with indications of Orthodox holidays and fasting days, and other printed publications on the pages of which depict the Holy Family or God's Saints are not considered icons. Such literature should be stored separately, in a specific box, and it is wrong to hang them among real icons.

If Orthodox literature has become unusable for further use, then it is allowed to carefully burn it yourself. It should not be lying around in an inappropriate place and should not be used for other purposes., for example, as wrapping paper.

If the external condition of the icon has faded over time or due to exposure to water or fire, and the image on it is no longer visible, then it can be taken to the master for restoration or simply left in the church temple, whose employees know what to do with it next.

How to keep icons clean and safe?

In church stores you can buy icon cases - special boxes for storing icons. They allow you to keep holy images clean.

Some people lovingly decorate the shelves and frames in their home iconostasis with embroidered towels or lace patches and artificial flowers. Everything must be placed in such a way as to protect flammable household items from fire. At the request of believers, the shop workers will clearly explain how to properly hang a burning lamp in front of the icon.

Craftsmen who make the base, which is used for subsequent writing of a holy image on it, usually think through how it will be attached to the wall. A special hole or loop is made in the material, usually wood. If there is nothing like this, then it is better not to hang such an icon, but to place it on a fixed shelf. But in no case should you nail the icon right through, especially in the outline of the holy face or robe.

Icons in other rooms of the house or apartment

There is no prohibition on placing icons in other living spaces, bedroom or kitchen. Of course, we are not talking about a balcony or a bathroom.

• In a room where household members usually have a common meal, it would be appropriate to hang icons depicting Christ the Savior or the “Last Supper” above the dining table. Here prayers of gratitude are offered for the opportunity to eat our “daily bread.”
• Not the pagan “horseshoe for luck” or “chime of the wind,” but the holy image, as the eternal guardian of the well-being of the hearth, should greet everyone entering the home of an Orthodox believer above the door. In everyday life and economic affairs, since ancient times, Christian peoples have given preference to icons depicting God's helper Nicholas the Pleasant, the Great Defender from enemies and misfortunes - St. George the Victorious.
• In a bedroom or children's room, it is correct to hang a personalized icon above the head of a sleeping person. First, through the prayers of the parents, and then of the baby himself, she will protect the child from bad thoughts, grant him health and obedience.

If there are a lot of icons, then they adhere to certain rules for their tiered placement. The central and upper ones are the holy images of Jesus Christ and the Mother of God. Below are icons depicting the Holy Great Martyrs who suffered for the Christian faith.

How to hang icons in a room correctly

How to hang icons in an apartment and what is a red corner?

How to hang icons in the house correctly was last modified: July 8th, 2017 by Bogolub

The home of an Orthodox believer is a kind of small Church; a prayer song must be heard in this place. Praises and petitions are performed in front of the images of icons, because they are a means of communication between a person and the Almighty Lord or His faithful and eternal servants. However, Orthodox believers must remember: the appeal refers to the individual, and not to the canvas on which he is depicted.

Installation of an iconostasis in the house

The arrangement of icons in a home iconostasis can be arbitrary, but in the Christian tradition there are some rules.

In past times, every family had a shelf where holy images were displayed. These divine paintings were located in the brightest and most eye-catching place. The shelf for icons was installed in the far corner of the house, in the East. This place was the most illuminated, since the two walls forming it had windows, where a lot of sunlight passed through.

Home iconostasis

An icon is a sacred image, which is separated from everyday realities and never mixes with everyday life, but is intended exclusively for dialogue with the Lord. It is a window from the infinite world, as well as divine revelations in the tones and lines of the icon painter’s brush.

It is naive to assume that a large number of holy images makes the life of an Orthodox believer more pious than it actually is.

About icons:

An unsystematized collection of icons, various reproductions, and church calendars is similar to ordinary collecting, where prayer completely disappears as an end in itself. Here there is a complete distortion of the term “house”, which is a continuation of the monastery.

Modern location of the iconostasis

For a family, this relic is a unifying prayer factor that arises after the forgiveness of all everyday grievances and the achievement of mutual understanding.

• Today's realities of life insist that the church allows you to set up a home iconostasis in a free place. However, orthodox rules recommend placing it on the eastern side. The concept of “east” has an important feature for Orthodoxy. It is written about him in the Book of Genesis, in Bartholomew and Matthew.
• If doors are located in the east of the apartment, it is allowed to use other cardinal directions.
• When choosing a place for a family altar, you need to avoid the proximity of holy images with any household appliances, which are considered a vain product of modernization and do not contribute to spirituality. It is necessary to avoid close proximity of icons and decorative decorations, as well as with books of a non-religious nature.
• For an Orthodox family, the presence of images of the Savior Christ and the Virgin Mary in the home iconostasis is mandatory. The image of the Messiah should always remain central, and all others will be smaller in size. The main icons (Trinity, Christ and the Virgin Mary) are located above the rest, but the Crucifixion is allowed to be placed above them.

How to correctly arrange icons in an apartment

• Decoration for the family iconostasis - fresh flowers. Large icons installed nearby should be framed with towels according to the ancient Christian tradition. It is prohibited to place non-canonical paintings or their reproductions nearby.
• The home iconostasis should be crowned with a cross, and a lamp should be lit during prayerful praise. On holidays, according to the church calendar, candle flames can burn for a whole day.

Important: enough space should be left in front of the iconostasis so that believers do not feel crowded during a family prayer service.

Holy images for the goddess

There must be two holy images in the home iconostasis.

An image of the Son of God, testifying to the incarnation of God and the salvation of the human race. For prayer, a waist cloth is often chosen, on which the Almighty blesses the world with his right hand, and holds the Divine Scripture in his left hand. The Lord appears in these images as the Arbiter of every destiny, a merciful Father who gives the Truth to which the eyes of Orthodox followers are directed. In this regard, icons of the Son of God always occupy the main place on the shelves of the home iconostasis.

The face of the Mother of God, who is a perfect man and revered above the Seraphim and Cherubim. More often, images called “Tenderness” or “Hodegetria” are used.

• The author of the first type, whose lists are extremely common in the Orthodox world, is traditionally considered to be the Apostle Luke. In “Tenderness” there is a magnificent contact between Christ in infancy and the Mother of God, which symbolizes the union of the earthly and the heavenly, the Creator and the best of His creations. The image expresses the Creator’s infinite love for the human race, when God gave the Son to atone for sinfulness. The most common and famous icons of the “Tenderness” type include: Vladimir, “It is Worthy to Eat,” “Recovery of the Dead,” etc.
• “Hodegetria” (“Guide”) is the second common type of face of the Virgin Mary. The image demonstrates the true path to God. On the icon this is evidenced by the specific gesture of the right hand of the Mother of God, pointing to the Infant Christ. The most famous faces of “Hodegetria” are: Blachernae, Iveron, Tikhvin, Kazan, etc.

Read about the Mother of God icons for the iconostasis:

In the Orthodox tradition, the image of St. Nicholas the Ugodnik is extremely popular. It has always occupied an important place on the shelves of every Christian's iconostasis. St. Nicholas is revered as an eternal servant of God, endowed with special grace.

An Orthodox Christian can place in the shrine the images of the famous prophet Elijah, the Great Martyr George the Victorious, Panteleimon, and the holy evangelist John the Baptist.

Advice! The choice is always individual, and the best assistant in the matter is the priest. They turn to him or another monk for advice.

Iconostasis in the house

Special placement instructions

At home, you are allowed to follow only the basic rules of arrangement.

• It is necessary to maintain symmetry and systematicity, to think through the compositional structure, which will help avoid feelings of internal dissatisfaction and the desire to change something. Incorrect arrangement distracts from the prayer service, the essence of which is concentration on petition and praise.
• An Orthodox person is obliged to remember the principle of church hierarchy: locally revered icons cannot be placed above the main ones (Christ the Savior, the Virgin Mary and the Holy Trinity).
• The image of the Messiah must be placed on the right side of the upcoming believer, and the canvas with the face of the Virgin Mary on the left. When selecting an iconostasis, one should focus on the uniformity of artistic execution of the shrines. The Church is not recommended to allow diversity in styles.
• Orthodox people must take holiness very seriously, since it is one of the properties of God himself. This quality is reflected in heavenly saints and material objects. It follows: the veneration of holy governors and iconographies belongs to the same religious order.
• The degree of churching of a family is judged by the reverence that members show to the faces of Christ and the Mother of God. Ancestral icons have always been greatly revered. The newly baptized baby was brought to the shrine, and the priest read prayers praising God. In ancient times, through the icon, parents blessed their children for successful studies, travel to distant lands, and service to society. Before a wedding or after the death of a person, believers also turned to the saints for help.
• If an iconostasis is placed in the house, quarrels, disgusting behavior, and scandals on various topics are unacceptable. However, an overly reverent attitude towards shrines should not be transformed into idolatry. We must remember: icons are a divine image, but not the very personality of the Lord or His vicegerents.
• A canvas that has fallen into complete disrepair and cannot be restored cannot be thrown away; it must be treated with due respect and respect as an ancient tablet. Previously, if the colors on an icon were washed off, it was sent down the river. Today, such a rarity is taken to the church, where it is burned in the temple oven.
• If damage to the face occurred due to careless storage, one should confess, since the Church considers such irresponsibility a sin.

Important! The Savior, the Mother of God, the apostles and saints looking from the canvases belong to eternity. When asking them for intercession through prayer, we - residents of areas of sorrow - need to forever remember the Almighty Creator, the call to voluntary repentance, self-improvement and mercy. Through the eyes of saints, the Almighty looks at people and reminds us that we have the opportunity to save our souls.

DIY iconostasis

The arrangement of icons in the home iconostasis today is done as the believer wants.

However, there are certain rules that are better to adhere to in order to improve the quality of communication with the Lord and His vicegerents.

Before arrangement, you should study the planned recommendations for installation in the apartment, and then select the desired angle. Today, furniture stores offer a large number of iconostases in their assortment. It is possible to make it to order, taking into account all the features and preferences.

1. Any materials are suitable for self-production.
2. The first step is to make drawings of the cabinet.
3. You should remember the distance between the shelves of the iconostasis, because they can ignite from burning candles.
4. Images of saints are placed at eye level, which facilitates communication.
5. It is allowed to place a table under the shelves where lamps and candles, holy water and Scriptures will be placed.

Important! The home iconostasis is a direct continuation of the altar in the temple - the same prayers are performed here, bringing you closer to the mountain regions. Therefore, images must be kept clean and great respect must be shown to them.

Video on how to place an iconostasis in your home

Everyone has their own path to God. Icons help you feel divine grace and pray to the Almighty. Many people rightfully have a question about where icons can be placed in the house in order to be under divine protection every minute and not offend the holiness of the images. The Apostle Paul in his first letter to Timothy (1 Tim. 2:8) teaches: “Therefore I desire that men in every place say their prayers, lifting up clean hands without anger or doubt.” Following the holy words, we begin the morning with a prayer called the morning rule. When starting a meal, each time we ask God to bless the meal, and after eating we thank Him for His mercy. Before going to bed, we turn to the Lord with evening prayer. An Orthodox believer begins any business with a request for God's blessing.

Most often, for convenience, the main iconostasis is placed in the bedroom, greeting and spending the day with the thought of the triune God, omnipresent, omnipotent, one. The presence of icons in the marital bedroom should not interfere with normal marital relations, since there is nothing sinful in the relationship between a legal husband and wife: God created us to live as a couple.

Saint images are hung in the children's room, but in such a way that it is safe for the child. The icon should not fall and injure the child. The baby will be under her cover and protection from the first days of life. Taught by his mother, he will turn to her for the first time with a request, with her image in his heart he will follow the righteous path.

Place several icons in the kitchen, and this will also be correct, since it will be convenient for family members to pray together before and after the meal that the Almighty sent us.

It is appropriate to hang an icon above the door: when leaving the house, we can cross ourselves and turn to God. As you can see, the icon will not be superfluous anywhere, reminding us with the light of its face of the Lord and eternal truth.

When choosing a place for holy images, you need to know some simple rules based on the writings of saints and theologians. In the words of St. John of Damascus, “since God is spiritual light, and Christ in Scripture is called the Sun of righteousness and the East, the East should be dedicated to His worship.” Go to any temple and you will see that the iconostasis is located precisely in the east. It has long been the custom among Christians to choose the eastern side of the house for the “red corner” - the iconostasis. In a modern apartment it is not always possible to adhere to the canons in this matter, so it is allowed to hang the iconostasis in another place.

But in any case, it is important to comply with some requirements. Here they are:

Standing in front of the icon and saying prayers with the sign of the cross and bows, you must do this freely, nothing should hinder your movement or interrupt the sacrament of comprehending the truth in communion with the Almighty;

Respect your family members who are not currently participating in prayer, choose a place where you will not disturb anyone;

Do not place icons in a closet or sideboard (which is very common). It is best to place them on shelves, corner or simple, purchased from a church store. Conveniently nail the shelf onto the wall surface at approximately eye level so that the image is clearly visible. Under the shelf you can put a bedside table and put a prayer book, the Gospel, other holy books dear to you, candles, a lamp. Here, near the icons, there is a place for holy oil and water, prosphora;

Handle a candle or lamp with care so as not to cause a fire. Do not place them on low shelves or near objects that are easily flammable;

When setting up a place for icons, remove any secular entertainment paraphernalia standing or hanging nearby: art books, posters, TV, paintings. Photos of relatives or friends will also look inappropriate next to holy images. Remember that icons are not decorations, but a source of connection with the spiritual world, where there is no place for vanity and vanity.

Having finally chosen and equipped a place for the shrine, place the icons correctly, according to the hierarchy. In the center there should be an image of Jesus Christ - “Orthodox believers often place icons of this saint in the shrine to the left of Jesus Christ (also called the home iconostasis or “red corner”). There are many icons of saints, healers, blessed ones, Guardian Angels, Archangels, who are also often approached with sincere prayer for healing, help in business, study, travel, and good luck in personal life. They are placed or hung both on the left and on the right in the icon case. The only immutable requirement is: above the face of Jesus Christ there can only be or.

At baptism, the godparents present the child with icons. All of them will become a life-giving source of divine grace for a growing person. Under their auspices, he will make his first experience of prayers and spiritual communication with God; he will take them with him into adulthood, full of temptations, not without mistakes. It will always be easier to walk with faith in your soul. And it began in the parental home under bright Christian images.

When eating food, believers never forget to offer prayer. For such a case, you can turn to the icon of Jesus Christ, and the Mother of God, and any other image. The main thing is that everything is done from the heart and, ideally, in common prayer with the whole family.

Among Orthodox Christians, it is a common custom to place an icon above the door in order to ask for intercession from evil forces when leaving the house, so that a person who comes to the door with evil thoughts does not harm the family. It has long been believed that the icons of the Mother of God “,” “,” “The Unbreakable Wall,” and other holy images, if addressed with sincere prayer, will ward off trouble and protect from deceit and evil will.

When you visit churches, you, of course, have seen how reverently the premises and places where icons are placed are kept clean. There are fresh fresh flowers all year round. It so happened that the flowers of the Blessed Virgin Mary were always considered to be a white lily and a rose. They can most often be seen decorating icons, as well as the entire temple. The so-called “veil” is carefully laid under the icons. Skillful holy images with convex elements and velvet fabric are cleaned from dust with brushes and wiped with napkins specially designed for this purpose. This is how clean the iconostasis should be kept at home. Both the tassel and the veil can be purchased at the church store. Craftswomen and needlewomen can show their imagination and make a veil with their own hands, with thoughts of God.

As you can see, it is not very important how many icons there will be in the house. You just need to remember the Savior, the New Testament, keep the 10 commandments, live in harmony with yourself and the world around you. Let prayer in front of the holy Christian icons, which have proven their miraculous power over the centuries, help everyone in this.

In all historical times, faith was necessary for the Christian people like air. With her, the Orthodox experienced hard times and illnesses.

She helped to survive hunger and survive on the battlefield. With faith and hope, for centuries people have gone to God's temples for help, protection and blessing.

What icons should you have in your home?

It has been a custom in Rus' since ancient times to attend divine services on Sundays and holy holidays. Temple paintings on biblical themes and a rich iconostasis created a unique aura of holiness in great cathedrals and small churches.

Christian traditions through the prism of modernity

Modern realities are such that not every conscious person can easily observe the traditions of Christianity that have developed over centuries. Spending many hours attending prayer services in churches and participating in religious processions does not fit into a busy, eventful life. A believer has no time at all to stop, think and realize what is happening.

Sometimes, due to overwork, there is an urgent need to open up and pour out your soul. Business laws do not recommend resorting to this. But the tormented ego is looking for a way out and help. It is like a bird in a narrow cage in need of care and guidance. Turning to the sources of true faith helps to restore lost strength and make the right decisions, both in business and in family life.

Are icons needed in the house?

It is possible to be under the constant constant protection of the Almighty and to be guided by the instructions of the saints thanks to icons correctly placed in a person’s own home. But you should not mistakenly believe that the more images of holy faces in the house, the better for the owners.

Size and quantity do not play any role in this matter. The unreasonable use of a large number of icons, paintings of relevant themes and church wall calendars can sometimes have the opposite adverse effect on others.

However, every home should use the necessary icons. For a true believer, an icon is the embodiment of saints in

material images. The creation of icon painting is strikingly different from portrait images.

They capture holiness, purity and chastity in every stroke and in every line. Icons in the house are used for private prayers and repentance. In many families that preserve the traditions of true Christianity, holy images are carefully passed on from fathers to children. Bright faces can unite different generations. Soften the hearts of the embittered, revive the generous.

What to Avoid When Placing Icons

Increasingly, in the modern world, the place of shrines in the house is taken by television and computer. In recent years, the importance of spirituality and family traditions has sharply declined. And yet, young people often have questions about the value of home prayer, the significance of holy images, and how to properly hang icons in the house.

Priests recommend placing icons on the eastern side of the house in the “red corner”. There should be a large free space in front of the iconostasis in order to facilitate access to the shrine. Icons are installed on the iconostasis in accordance with the church hierarchy on a separate shelf. Decorate the place of worship with fresh flowers, embroidered towels and openwork napkins. During the annual church holiday “Palm Sunday”, branches of consecrated willow are placed.

To avoid troubles, you should not place the attributes of the modern hungry world nearby: TV, game consoles, stereo system, computer. It is prohibited to place telephones, money and house keys on the shelf with icons. Posters with images of sports and show business idols, calendars with photographs of models and politicians are not hung on the walls adjacent to the “front corner”.

Placing idols of cruel reality on the same level as holy icons will not go unnoticed. Formation on bookshelves is not allowed. It is not uncommon that the content of the books on display sharply contradicts the centuries-old Christian idea of ​​love and mercy. You should not mix ritual attributes with such interior items as wall tapestries, graffiti, and sculptures.

Which saints should you have in your home?

For any Orthodox family, the main icon in the house is this image

Jesus Christ. For home conversion, it is enough to install a half-length image of the Savior. An important feature of such icon painting is the recreation of the image of the blessing hand of the Lord. On many icons, Jesus appears as the arbiter of human destinies. Therefore, the image of the Lord Pantocrator is given one of the main places in any iconostasis - on the right.

It is customary to place the icon of the Mother of God to the left of the main image. A special feature of the iconography of this theme is the contact of the bright faces of the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus. The inspired drawing of the Mother of God, filled with endless love, symbolizes the continuous connection between heaven and earth, and evokes a feeling of inner reverent reverence. Among the icons of the “Tenderness” type, the most famous is the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. On icons painted according to the “Hodegetria” (“Guide”) type, the mother points to the Savior with a gesture of her free right hand. The most revered among such images is the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

The icon of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) dominates the main part of the “red corner”. This image serves as the most famous symbol of unbreakable unity. Reflecting the highest degree of piety, this triple image has earned endless love and veneration in Orthodoxy.

If you have enough “usable space”, you can organize a home altar on 2 levels. Observing the church hierarchy, the image of the holy prophet Elijah, the supreme apostles Peter and Paul, and the archangels Gabriel and Michael are often placed below. The image of St. Nicholas the Pleasant is sure to complement every Orthodox iconostasis. Among the common people, Saint Nicholas was revered as a miracle worker.

A properly composed family iconostasis should be installed in the front corner of the dining room or on the frontal place in the hall. Daily gratitude for the food and shelter provided during family lunches and dinners will serve to revive Christian traditions and spiritual values. It makes sense to place the well-known image of “The Last Supper” directly in the kitchen. Free access to the face of the Mentor and Patron will contribute to the formation in young people of the need for personal communication.

A holy face for everyone

They say when in the family

many children are a blessing from God. Holy icons with separate contents are intended for young boys of different sexes.

Luckily for the girls

In the girl’s room there must certainly be an image of Xenia of Petersburg. They place their aspirations and hopes on her in determining a better life. In due time, she comes to the aid of desperate girls and women. Helps them get married safely.

Recently, in Rus', the peasant tradition of annually celebrating Valentine's Day - the holiday of Peter and Fevronya - has been revived. The icon of lovers is a reliable patroness of legal marriage and warm family relationships. Their indestructible union serves as an example of eternal values ​​- mutual love and respect, great wisdom and patience.

The number of worshipers of the holy blessed Matrona of Moscow is growing every year. For those who suffer, she is the wisest guardian of basic sacred values ​​and the merciful patroness of numerous lonely hearts. For those who turn to her with deep faith and pure thoughts, she helps to form a strong family and rewards the desperate with the long-awaited happiness of motherhood.

For boys for prudence

In the boys' room there is usually an icon of the famous holy great martyr George the Victorious, who is considered the patron saint of the army. It acts as a kind of shield, both for the house and for its inhabitants. Her aura is indispensable for guys preparing for military service. This image is presented as a gift to the baby during the sacrament of baptism.

For the purpose of instruction, children are often given an image of St. Andrew the First-Called. He is the generally recognized patron of the Russian land. Turning to it helps to increase the thirst for knowledge, instills a love of work, and fosters a sense of respect for older generations.

The icon with the face of the blessed prince Alexander Nevsky equally patronizes both generals and privates. Strengthens mental strength, promotes physical development and increased self-esteem. Serves as a compelling historical figure for modern emulation.

A holy place should not be empty

For simplicity and

accessibility to images, they can be installed on a separate shelf in the front corner of the children's room or placed on a free wall in accordance with the recommendations described earlier.

It is customary to place the image of the child’s Guardian Angel at the head of the bed. A reliable patron and protector is given to every person at birth. People turn to him at times of imminent danger and in times of doubt. It’s not uncommon to place personalized children’s icons on special stands indoors.

They are intended for each tomboy personally, as they correspond to the owner’s name. Adults hope that such defenders and patrons will help in the proper upbringing of the younger generation and protect them from many troubles and misfortunes.

Joy for the sick and weak

Often in large families a separate room is allocated for aging parents. There, wise old people who have lived long, sometimes difficult lives, arrange their things that are close and dear to them. In the first place among them are always pious and often ancient icons.

Confirming their loyalty to Christian traditions with their actions and thoughts, the fathers decided the destinies of their children and grandchildren in accordance with the requirements of faith. But now the time has come to give parents a canonized image of the holy great martyr and worldly healer Panteleimon.

The free Christian holy healer does not leave people’s requests for healing without due attention. It cures not only bodily ailments, but also revives the soul. Since time immemorial, he has been a well-known patron of all true doctors and suffering patients. You can install an icon with the face of a saint in the eastern corner of the room, surrounding it with appropriate church attributes.

Where can you buy true icons?

In order not to make a mistake when purchasing items that are so necessary for the home, purchases should be made in church shops at churches, at often organized Orthodox exhibitions and fairs. In such places there is a wide selection of relevant products.

The rich church decoration of the premises is conducive to calm and tranquility. Color embossing is most often used in the design of holy images. To create a status attribute included in the large iconostasis, expensive gold stamping is used. Here you can

buy icon cases - special boxes with glass for careful storage and use of icons.

In attribute shops, specialists who know Orthodoxy well will be happy to give detailed advice. They will help you make a justified choice in accordance with your life situation. When purchasing an icon, you must check for a special stamp indicating that this icon has received illumination. It is worth paying attention to whether the text of the offered prayer is included in the kit. It is very convenient for home use.

It is easy to communicate with God if you have the necessary icons in your home, placed in accordance with Christian principles. By offering daily gratitude to the Almighty, every believer has the right to count on love, care and guidance on the true path.

Is it possible to put icons in the bedroom?

This is a question many people ask themselves. Each person's home iconostasis is individual.

A believer chooses icons for his home independently, listening only to the voice of his heart, only it decides to which Saint to direct daily prayers. But when choosing icons, you should ensure that they match the manner of execution and style of the room. The article will tell you how to do it yourself.

Features of the location of icons in the house

The veneration of icons represents the veneration of a prototype. Looking at the icon, a person sees in it the Savior Himself, the Mother of God or saints.

These sacred images should be given the veneration appropriate to the shrine. In the church, Orthodox people lay candles and lamps in front of the icons, and kiss the sacred images.

When worshiping in front of icons:

• Incense or incense is burned.
• They pray.
• Prayers are sung.
• Religious processions are performed with them.

In the home of an Orthodox Christian there should be an appropriate attitude towards icons.

The place where the images are placed is called:

• Red corner.
• Front corner.
• Holy corner.
• Kyoto.
• Goddess.
• Icon.

In the house, first of all, you should have such icons as:

• Savior.
• Mother of God.
• Particularly revered shrines.
• Personalized icons, which include the heavenly patron saints of all family members and holidays. The image of the Savior should be placed to the right of the one standing, and the face of the Virgin Mary should be placed to the left.

Icons should be placed in a place separate from other things.

You cannot install them:

• In bookcases that house books of a secular nature that contradict Christianity and have nothing in common with Orthodox truths.
• On the shelves where there are photographs of loved ones, especially the deceased.
• Where toys and figurines are located, icons should not be mixed with decorative elements.
• Next to posters of pop singers, athletes, politicians and other idols of the current century.
• There should be no artistic paintings here, even those painted on biblical subjects, such as:

1. “The Appearance of Christ to the People”;
2. "Sistine Madonna".

Advice: It is not allowed to see photos of priests, monks, elders, or people who lead a righteous life among the icons.

How to choose the right place for icons

In the house, icons can be placed in any room, not excluding the bedroom.

In the nursery it is advisable to arrange:

• A measured icon, the height of which corresponds to the height of the child at birth.
• Personal.
• Image of the Savior.
• Guardian Angel.

Instructions for placing icons suggest:

• Install them on the east side of the room. This could be a corner or a wall.

Advice: When praying, a person should face east, just like the altar in an Orthodox church. Icons should also be placed on the eastern wall of the room.

How are the holy scriptures placed?

After determining the location of the icons, you must:

• Install a shelf-case there, which is a special cabinet or glass shelf designed to protect icons from accidental mechanical damage, dust or dirt. The icon case allows you to store the face of the saint in more gentle conditions, where the icons are less susceptible to the negative consequences of changes in temperature and humidity of the surrounding air.
• It is better to place the shelf a little higher above eye level or directly at eye level.
• Images of saints are placed on a shelf or hung on the wall if there are quite a lot of them.
• It is better to cover the bottom of the shelf with embroidery or put a beautiful white canvas or shroud.
• On the left there should be an Icon of the Mother of God, and on the right - the image of the Savior, which is provided for by the classical iconostasis.
• The following options are also allowed:

1. place the image of the Savior above all others in the center;
2. on the left you can put the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of John the Baptist;
3. on the right is the face of the Mother of God.

You can combine all these icons in one, which is called Jesus Christ the King of Glory.

• Only the Crucifix or the icon of the Holy Trinity can be placed above the composition of images.
• Near the face of John the Baptist is the Archangel Gabriel. And near the image of the Mother of God is the Archangel Michael.

There may be other saints in the iconostasis:

• Nicholas the Wonderworker.
• Panteleimon.
• Peter Pavel.

Advice: You should always remember the principle of hierarchy: no saint should be placed above the icon of the Savior, the Holy Trinity, the Mother of God and the Apostles.

• On the sides and slightly below you can place images related to personal, family or hereditary.
• It is advisable to crown the home iconostasis with an Orthodox cross.
• Before starting the prayer, it is advisable to light a candle or lamp, and then hang it and place it in front of the faces of the saints. A burning candle symbolizes a person’s burning towards God, his prayer.
• It is customary to decorate the holy corner with embroidery or place fresh flowers in it. You can do the embroidery for decoration yourself.

Many believe that icons should not be placed in the bedchamber - this is the most intimate room in the home. But this is absolutely not true.

Intimacy between spouses is not considered a sin, so you can safely place holy scriptures in the bedroom. But you should know that the images are placed only at the head of the bed. The video in this article will show you how to do this.

If the bedroom is of an unmarried couple, this is considered a sin that cannot be hidden from God even without placing icons in the room. God is omnipresent, he sees everything always, and not through images. Feel free to place images of saints in your bedroom and pray!

Church traditions are passed down from century to century, despite some of them being lost in time, and today, as before, the world is empty and unthinkable without communion with God. For many of us, visiting temple has long become a custom and is a great blessing and peace. During the service, people receive unity with God through prayer and visible spiritual contact with the Shrines and the faces of miracle workers. Prayer cleanses the heart, heals the soul, inspiring faith and giving good joy.

A house where there is a corner with icons will always be clean and protected from all evil spirits and evil. But how and where is it better to place the faces of the Saints in an ordinary apartment and what place would be the most suitable for reading prayers? Answers to questions of such a sensitive nature have been perfected over the centuries. It turns out that there are Orthodox canons that require strict adherence to traditions and a careful approach to detail.

Red corner in the house

The icon is still an important, valuable, family heirloom that is reverently protected and revered. Every true believer has a “clean” place in his home - the Red Corner. Other names for the sacredly protected place are Beautiful Corner, Goddess, Front or Holy Corner - this is usually the name for a secluded place where you can kneel and turn to the Saints in prayer in the morning and evening hours.

From time immemorial, during the construction of temples, the altar was installed where the sun rises. It is the eastern side that symbolically brings us closer to the spiritual personification, that is, to God. But in city apartments it is not always possible to install icons in accordance with all Orthodox rules, so they take a different direction as a basis, abandoning the traditional theory. In most cases, the place of honor for the iconostasis is determined by a vector diagonal from the entrance room door towards the far corner of the room. The space where the Red Corner was created must be free so that the whole family can turn in prayer to the Almighty and express their reverence before the faces of the Savior and his helpers.

What icons decorate the iconostasis?

You should not strive to fill the main iconostasis in the apartment with many Holy images. In the central area of ​​the house: the living room or hall, it is better to leave three main significant and revered icons: Savior, Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Trinity.

It is important to respect the trend of religious hierarchy. According to established canons, the face of the Savior is always placed on the right, and the Mother of God on the left. Only the icon of the Holy Trinity can be installed one step higher.

The arrangement of icons should look neat and harmonious. It’s good if all the icons are the same size and follow the same style. The crown of the iconostasis must be consecrated with an Orthodox cross. The number of religious persons present in the house is not limited, but

the main thing in this matter is sincerity, since a selfless prayer will always be heard. The iconostasis can be supplemented with other images of saints. They like to place heavenly images in the Goddess
namesake patrons, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Holy Great Martyr Panteleimon.

In addition to the general Goddess, it is quite acceptable to place icons in another living area: bedroom, kitchen, nursery or hallway. In the dining room or kitchen, believers usually venerate the icon of the Savior to ask for blessings on their lunch meal and to give thanks for their daily bread. Many Orthodox Christians hang icons above the front door so that trouble does not come to the house. In the bedroom, the faces of the Saints, located at the head of the bed, protect the peace and sleep of those sleeping.

In order to protect the unsullied soul of a child from dark forces and illnesses, icons of Guardian Angels often give away their power in children’s rooms. In general, finding the necessary corner for home worship in the arrangement of an apartment is not difficult: the main thing is to approach this process with great faith and love. The only area where icons have no place is the bathroom and toilet.

Another, no less significant condition in relation to the location of icons in the house is the ban on their proximity to decorative and household elements. Icons love solitude and the absence of any defilement. The Church condemns it if toys, personal photographs, modern books, postcards, jewelry, household utensils and pagan figurines are placed next to the iconostasis. On the contrary, decorating the iconostasis with fresh flowers, an icon plate (a special embroidered towel), censer, candles, willow and birch branches, and rosary beads will enhance the religious aura. In addition to images of holy faces, the icon case (wooden cabinet) contains a prayer book, the Gospel, the Psalter and objects consecrated in the temple and Holy Water.

The fundamental stage in the arrangement and formation of a home iconostasis will be the maintenance of icons in regular cleanliness and special careful preservation, and this should be expressed, first of all, in the elimination of dust, excessive moisture and excessive dryness, which can spoil the icons and distort the images of the faces of saints.

Every home where an Orthodox family lives must have icons. They are necessary to protect the apartment. Also, with an image before your eyes it is much easier to concentrate for prayer. However, now not everyone knows where to hang icons in the house. But there is nothing complicated in this science.

Where and how to hang icons?

A home is not a temple in which everything is strictly regulated and where it cannot be otherwise. Here you can give free rein to your imagination - naturally, within the framework of traditions and canons. The canonical opinion is that an icon should be in every room of the house, with rare exceptions.

The most important rule in this case is that there should be enough space in front of the image. This is necessary so that the believer can pray in front of the icon without inconvenience, because that is what it is intended for. Everything else - again, with rare exceptions - is advisory in nature.

So, it’s worth thinking about placing icons in the following rooms:

· Be sure to hang the image above the dining table (in the dining room or kitchen). Before eating you need to pray. As a rule, this place is occupied by the icon of the Savior or the Last Supper.

· The image of a “Guardian Angel” is very often placed in the nursery. The best location is at the head of the crib.

· A common misconception is that there should be no icons in the bedroom. But that's not true. You just need to know how to hang an icon in the bedroom. If spouses sleep in it, it’s okay, because intercourse in marriage is not considered a sin. It is advisable to hang it at the head of a properly positioned bed.

It is important that, if possible, the image hangs on the eastern side, because of the tradition of turning to face the east for prayer. But if this is impossible, what can you do? It is also recommended to take into account the hierarchy when placing them - that is, you cannot hang the images of the Mother of God or the Savior below all the others.

Where should you not hang icons?

There are places where you absolutely should not hang icons in the house. There are also some prohibitive traditions.

It is important to remember: in which corner the icons are hung, there should not be other photographs, posters or drawings there. Only canonical images, and nothing more. The same applies to walls. Because you can only pray on them, but not on a poster, for example, of Michael Jackson or a portrait of your great-grandmother.

There is often a question about what kind of icon is hung above the front door. The answer is that you shouldn’t do that. As a rule, an Orthodox cross or its sticker is placed there. You can also hang a horseshoe. Although, if you wish, you can place the “Goalkeeper” or the Mother of God “Seven Shooters” above the door.

And, of course, under no circumstances should you place the image in the toilet. This is blasphemous. Also, do not hang it on window frames. Only on walls, in corners, can be placed on shelves. But not behind some things - only on a free shelf.

Subscribe to news

Prayers help to survive grief and illness. After the era of communism, people lost many centuries of knowledge and now those who have returned to faith need knowledge. Images of saints are intended not only to decorate a home, their purpose is to protect and protect. To do this, you need to know where the icons should be in the apartment.

Why are icons needed in the house?

In the frantic pace of modern life, not everyone has time to attend church services every day or even every week. In defense and God's help a person needs every minute. This is possible thanks to the correct placement of the home iconostasis for prayer. How to arrange icons correctly matters more than their number.

The size of the image also does not matter. For a deeply religious person, the faces of saints are the material embodiment of the Divine image. Icons are very different from photographs and portraits. They reflect peace, serenity, kindness, compassion, purity in every stroke.

Faces of saints in the home iconostasis

An icon is a window into house of God, and the shrine is the place where the day of a true believer begins and ends. An Orthodox Christian's home must have an icon of Jesus Christ and a prayer cross. The rest of the images are chosen based on personal needs and desires.

How to choose the right place for red corner in the apartment to maintain the aura and tune in to prayer - necessary information for every believer. If the layout allows, then it is advisable to highlight the south-eastern corner of the room; access should be free and not cluttered. It is customary to pray facing the rising sun. It is important to know how to properly hang icons in an apartment, observing the accepted hierarchy:

1. There should always be an icon of the Savior in the center. Above it can only be the cross and the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).
2. You need to place the face of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the right, then place her other images a little to the side.
3. On the left is the obligatory holy image of John the Baptist.

Particular attention is paid. It is believed that if you hang it over front door, then it will protect those entering the house from bad intentions, protect them from quarrels and scandals. And opposite the entrance, the Holy Trinity should be placed to cleanse the guest’s bad thoughts.

The iconostasis can be made from one shelf, side table or just hang on the wall. It is allowed to decorate the holy corner with fresh flowers, towels, candles and lamps. It is also advisable to place each face on a festive napkin. First of all, it should be remembered that the most important thing in prayer is its sincerity and faith in God. It is important not only to beautifully decorate the interior of the “front corner”.

Shelf with holy images in the kitchen

It is helpful to place faces of saints in the kitchen. Prayer before meals should be an integral part of life. Gratitude for food and prosperity to the Lord God is natural for a Christian. Care should be taken to ensure that dirt and kitchen grease do not get on the icon; it is better to put it behind glass in a cabinet or place it on a shelf on the wall, which is located opposite the stove. You can place an image of the Last Supper, which will correspond to the theme.

Guardian angel in the children's room

When there are many children in a family or one - this is always joy and blessing. The icon of the Mother of God at the head of the baby’s bed in the bedroom will protect his sleep and calm him down. The face of a guardian angel, whose name a person is named at baptism, will always help in life. Depending on the gender and age of the child, the following images are suitable:

1. For a girl - or Matrona of Moscow. They help you find happiness, escape loneliness and get married successfully.
2. For a boy - an image of St. George the Victorious for protection and giving courage. The icon of St. Andrew the Primordial will teach you to be polite to elders and promotes the development of the mind. The image of Alexander Nevsky will patronize athletes and the military.

How not to place the faces of saints

Do it right home iconostasis, remove inappropriate objects from the environment - this is what a true Christian should do. There are no canons prohibiting hanging an image of a saint in front of a mirror, but priests do not recommend doing this in order not to be distracted from prayer. To preserve the power of images, church ministers do not recommend:

Church ministers have different opinions about whether it is possible to sleep with your feet facing an icon. But, in general, there is nothing wrong with this if it is not done for the sake of blasphemy. This will only give another reason, looking at the face of the saint, to pray.

How many images are in the house does not matter as much as the order in which they are placed. An icon prayed over for decades, passed down from generation to generation, is a real heirloom for the family. It must be protected and carefully cleaned from dust. Where icons should be located in the house is a very serious question, and it should be approached carefully. Peace of mind the family largely depends on this. The holy image is not just a beautiful picture, it is the face of a man who once lived on earth and remained devoted to God. Every icon is designed to guide you on the right path, to attune your feelings to humility and prayer.