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iconostasis

American  
[ahy-kuh-nos-tuh-sis] / ˌaɪ kəˈnɒs tə sɪs /
Also iconostas

noun

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


iconostasis British  
/ aɪˈkɒnəˌstæs, ˌaɪkəʊˈnɒstəsɪs /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of iconostasis

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They said it was "converted by adding traditional features", including an iconostasis, a brightly coloured, highly ornate screen of icons, and "was designated as the 'mother church' - or Sobor - when it was consecrated".

From BBC • May 10, 2023

The artifacts originally stood in the central gateway of the iconostasis — the ornately decorated screen that separates the sanctuary from the rest of an Orthodox church — of Saint Anastasios in Peristeronopigi village.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 16, 2021

The front of the church is lined with an iconostasis, or an icon screen, where important icons have been placed through the years.

From Washington Times • Oct. 14, 2018

That was when the monastery’s original iconostasis was destroyed, its cathedral, like so many others in Russia, turned into a warehouse.

From New York Times • Aug. 31, 2012

The chapel of S. Spiridion also has its iconostasis.

From The Shores of the Adriatic The Austrian Side, The Küstenlande, Istria, and Dalmatia by Jackson, F. Hamilton (Frederick Hamilton)

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