iconostasis

[ ahy-kuh-nos-tuh-sis ]

noun

, Eastern Church.

, plural i·co·nos·ta·ses [ahy-k, uh, -, nos, -t, uh, -seez].

1. a partition or screen on which icons are placed, separating the sanctuary from the main part of the church.

iconostasis

/ aɪˈkɒnəˌstæs; ˌaɪkəʊˈnɒstəsɪs /

noun

1. Eastern Churches a screen with doors and icons set in tiers, which separates the bema (sanctuary) from the nave

Word History and Origins

Origin of iconostasis¹

From Medieval Greek, dating back to 1825–35; icono-, stasis

Word History and Origins

Origin of iconostasis¹

C19: Church Latin, from Late Greek eikonostasion shrine, literally: area where images are placed, from icono- + histanai to stand

Example Sentences

The Mohammedan conquest of course swept away the ornaments of the interior—the ambo, the iconostasis and the holy table.

From Project Gutenberg

In the iconostasis were the three holy doors—above the middle one a massive cross of gold.

From Project Gutenberg

In front of the iconostasis was an "Entombment," surrounded with young grass amid which little lamps shone.

From Project Gutenberg

At Easter time two processional crosses of silver and a Resurrection banner decorate the church outside the iconostasis.

From Project Gutenberg

The iconostasis is of the seventeenth century; the paintings are covered with silver plates.

From Project Gutenberg