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.

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iconostasis British  

/ ˌaɪkəʊˈnɒstəsɪs /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• iconostases
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of iconostasis

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

iconostasis iconostases

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

An icon of St. Nicholas also hangs on the iconostasis.

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 gold iconostasis was aflame with innumerable candles, which surrounded a large one in the centre wound in a narrow strip of gilt paper.

From The Awakening The Resurrection by Leo Tolstoy, Count

The temple nave is crammed with religious objects, iconostases and icons, sacred portraits of solid gold with only the hands and faces coloured.

From From Pole to Pole A Book for Young People by Sven Anders Hedin

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