Monk Spyridon (Silver) Domostroi in 16th century wrote that "in his house every Christian ought to put the Holy images, written icons to put on the walls decorating the table and arranging properly the place where they are located. This place bosgiraud lamps and candles, whenever the praise and worship of God. To Holy way to say, worthily and with a pure conscience, and the images themselves Holy should be put first in the order and reverence of the Holy names. In prayer and in vigil, and in worship and in any glorification of God they should always be revered.
Of course, the number of icons in the Orthodox Christian home is not an indicator of a godly life. Holy God is a God of order. And unstructured and unordered collection of icons in a residential building, as well as reproductions and Church calendars can sometimes even damage the spiritual life of man.
Ill-conceived gathering of icons can turn into collectables, which is empty and meaningless in spiritual terms, and not often this situation is far from the purpose of the prayer icons.
Home, family is one of the prototypes of the Church, and so every house and family in shape of the home Church should be prayer in secret prayer. And to do this in the house it is useful to have the icons in sufficient quantity, within reasonable limits, in its place, and arranged in a specific order.
Historically, in every Orthodox family in the past and now was definitely the shelf with icons, or even full home iconostasis made by hand. Place in the house, which housed the icon, called the red corner, the Holy corner, front corner, the ark or Shrine.
For the believer the icon is not only the image of our Lord Jesus Christ, the saints and events from Scripture. The icon is a sacred image, separated from the bustle of everyday life and is designed for communication with God. Therefore, the most important purpose of an icon and place in which it was placed – in prayer before God.
Where to choose a place to put the icons in the house?
Based on the realities of contemporary life, icons is recommended to place in a free and accessible place, preferably on the East side of the house or room. It is advisable to in front of the icons in the house was enough space to freely and are not constrained to pray a common prayer together with family.
This place place, avoiding close proximity with distractions from prayer items and appliances, such as TV, computer, tape recorder, phones. Nothing, if possible, should not distract while praying at this sacred place.
Small home iconostasis allows you to not only have the icons in a special dedicated to the prayer place, but and arrange icons. It can be floor or wall, with front or angular position of the images.
The main material used in the manufacture is wood. It is a natural high-quality material that has excellent properties and fits well with almost any decor.
In the most simple, outdoor option, this can be a beautifully decorated outdoor corner. If space allows, then the full iconostasis at home in a corner or straight cabinets for icons.
It can be decorated with wood carvings and beautiful veneer complementing the splendor of the icons. Finish can be very diverse. First and foremost, it is a wooden carving. Carved shelves for the home look airy and elegant. Invoice thread adds volume. The individual elements of the shelves for the icons, for example fences can be carved by hand and decorated with carving, covered with paint of various shades.
In addition to the icons they allow you to put books and various items for the prayer. This will allow you to separate them from common household items and build a special place for prayer.
On the shelves of Orthodox utensils icons should be placed, in an effort to comply with certain rules:
• It is preferably positioned on the East side of the room: it was on the East side facing the altars of Orthodox churches.
• It should have a Savior and his mother, they, as a rule, occupy the Central part of the iconostasis and its top shelf. In relation to the praying Christian, the icon of the virgin is always placed on the left and the icon of the Savior on the right.
• Above the main icons should not be placed in the icons of the saints. However, above them, the believer can show an image of the crucifixion of the Lord Christ or His cross.
• Usually, it is supplemented with icons of the most venerated local saints.
• Front of the iconostasis for the house can also be the kindling of the lamps while praying
