Choliros lectern. Do-it-yourself home iconostases: photo Home iconostasis

At my request dear friend and colleagues, V. Kovaldzhi, I begin to depict the pearl of our temple, the choir lectern.

The choir is not only heard, but also seen. It is located next to the main shrines - the icons of the temple. Therefore, it is desirable to at least reduce the difference between the richness of the iconostasis and the wretchedness of a rickety cot, donated (as unnecessary) by a generous headman to some kliroshans.
I carefully beat our headman twice a week, until he realized that making the lectern I needed was the only way to get rid of my tediousness. And he did (a year has not passed, chesslovo!).
Our lectern now forms a single ensemble with the iconostasis. The Byzantine style moves from the southern gate to the lectern as a whole. The same basma, the icon of the Resurrection, all things:

And this is our lectern in profile (picture from the altar):

What seems to be an arc from afar is actually two working planes - for reading and for singing. Pay attention to the side wall. This is a book shelf in the stowed state. In working condition, it looks different:

He rises, a wooden support is slipped under it, and the reader who comes out of the altar reads (from the side) everything for which he was blessed. As a rule - hours.

And this is our "workplace":

Above - a lucarine window with a cross, through which I keep track of everything that is done on the salt (and even at the altar!). Two directional lamps, which are mounted on flexible tubes, with 60-watt lamps.
The upper part of the lectern - two working planes, for singing and for reading (more gently sloping). The sills are made of aluminum corners - simple and durable.
The lower part of the lectern is open shelves with books (practice has shown that centuries-old dust does not have time to settle on them). The top shelf is for weekly sheet music and books. The lower one is for the annual (Menaia, Triod).

The gap between the upper shelf of the library and the lower working plane is a very convenient space for arranging a "glove compartment" in it for pens, pencils, erasers, tablets from the throat and head, tuning forks, spare light bulbs, brass knuckles and other trifles. As soon as this cover is lifted, the contact closes inside and a small diode bulb lights up, which is quite enough to illuminate the "glove box".
The size of the working surfaces is such that A4 books fit freely on them. Here is the working arrangement of books on the lectern:

And here I am, white and fluffy, posing on the "captain's bridge". This is because, of course, I didn’t have any drawings-mergers. I just showed our locksmith (this is our headman) with my palm: this is so, and this is that. He buzzed with a tape measure near his palm, and did everything as it should. So look at me and figure out to your locksmiths how comfortable it will be for your height:

Here, in fact...

Home iconostases are a kind of small church for the believer Orthodox Christian. They should be given a special place in their dwelling where they can calmly pray in front of the images.

Home iconostases appeared in Ancient Russia. For them, a whole corner was assigned, which was called red (i.e. beautiful). Icons were placed in this place, candles and lamps were lit. In the morning and evening, as well as during hours of special spiritual need, the household members said their prayers here.

The iconostasis of those times was a multi-tiered shelf on which the god was hung - a small curtain that covered the images of the saints and the Savior on the sides. The icons were hidden under the gospel - a special cloth, which was pulled back only during prayer. This tradition appeared in Russia not by chance. It is known that the first image of the Savior would have been created by Himself, according to His will of God: after Jesus sprinkled his face with water and wiped it with a robe (cloth), His face remained on this canvas. He sent this canvas to the ailing ruler of Asia Minor - Avgar, thanks to which he was healed. After that, the prince gave the order to nail the sacred board over the gates of the city. After 900 years, the sacred image was transferred to Constantinople. Now, every year on August 29, Orthodox Christians celebrate the feast of finding the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands and consecrate hand-woven canvases.

What else was placed on the shelf for images?

Home iconostases of those times were also intended to store holy water and prosphora. The household members hid the gospel and commemorations (special books in which the names of all the dead and living Orthodox of this family were kept) behind the god. Particularly skilled needlewomen created doves (as a symbol of the Holy Spirit) from improvised materials and hung them on the iconostasis. In the red corner, it was obligatory to have lamps and candles that were lit during home service.

There was a similar small church in every Orthodox house until the 1917 revolution. After the Bolsheviks came to power, people continued to pray, but they did it in secret. Therefore, from the richly decorated home iconostases, only a few images remained, which people carefully hid from prying eyes, fearing persecution. The modern red corner is somewhat different from the one that our ancestors created, since many of the traditions of its creation are simply forgotten.

Create your own red corner

The way the home iconostasis will be depends only on the owners of the house. However, remember to follow the following rules:

• Holy images must be installed away from technology (TV, computer, etc.) - the farther from everything mundane, the better.
• There should be enough space in front of the icons so that the worshipers do not feel cramped. And during prayer, church books (prayer books, the Gospel) are best placed on a folding lectern (stand).
• Do not place icons one by one on bookshelves, in lockers, while forcing these images with other mundane items: souvenirs, pictures, etc. This is strictly forbidden, because by doing so we show disrespect for God. Indeed, for some reason, photographs of people we love and care about, especially those who have left this world, are put by many in the most prominent place, without cluttering them with unnecessary objects. The same should be done with icons, showing love and respect for the holy images.

The difference between icons and paintings

If you have reproductions of paintings at home that reflect biblical scenes, they should not be installed on the iconostasis.

The main difference between a holy image and painting is that in the first case, through icons, we communicate with the Lord. And since the iconostasis is a sacred place intended for solitude in prayers, the inclusion of reproductions in it would simply be inappropriate.

Icons should not be hung on the wall next to the posters of celebrities - by doing this we offend the holy images, putting them on a par with earthly idols.

Home iconostases are best placed in the eastern part of the house, since this part of the world has a special meaning in Orthodoxy.

For example, from old testament it is known that the Lord created a paradise for people in the eastern part of Eden. And the Gospel says that as lightning comes from the east to the very west, so the Lord comes from Heaven. The church altar is also located in the eastern part. If windows face this side, the home iconostasis, the photo of which you will find in this article, is installed in any other place suitable for it.

What shelf to buy?

Will you create homemade iconostases with your own hands from wood or will you purchase them in furniture store or the church shop, it's entirely up to you. If you want to buy a shelf, do it in specialized Orthodox stores. There is a wider range of iconostases, and the sellers will always prompt and help with the choice. According to the material, wooden and plywood shelves for icons are distinguished. They can be single-tier and multi-tier, straight and angular. There are even solid iconostases, which already have holy images. But such shelves are mostly made only to order. To understand what such a home iconostasis looks like, the photo is presented in this article.

If you decide to create a real red corner, choose multi-tiered shelves. On them it will be much easier to recreate a majestic wall with holy images, like those installed in temples. What will be your home iconostasis - corner or straight depends on where it will be placed (on the wall or in the corner of the room).

What icons are needed?

First of all, in every home there should be images of the Savior, Mother of God and Nicholas the Wonderworker. Of all the icons of Our Lord, the waist-length Image of the Almighty is most preferable for home prayer. On such an icon, Jesus Christ holds in his left hand an open book in which it is written "I give you a new commandment: love one another." With the right hand, the Lord baptizes the one who prays.

Of the images of the Mother of God, the Russian people especially fell in love with icons such as "Tenderness" and "Hodegetria" (Guide). In the first image, the Virgin Mary holds a baby in her arms, who gently hugs her neck and presses against her cheek. The most famous icon of this type the Vladimir icon of the Mother of God is considered. Its distinctive feature is that the left heel of the baby is completely turned outward. On the image of the Hodegetria, the Mother of God is depicted with a baby, who, in right hand holds a bundle, and with the left overshadows all those who pray with the sign of the cross. A vivid example of this image is the Kazan icon, "Soon to hearken", "Sinner's guarantor".

Additional images

In addition to these main icons, on the home iconostasis it is necessary to put images of saints, after whom members of your family are named. It is also desirable to purchase an icon of the healer Panteleimon, a healer of mental and physical illnesses. The choice of other images depends entirely on the needs of the household. For example, you can purchase the image of Peter and Fevronia, who are praying for family well-being. Before the icon of Sergius of Radonezh, they ask for help in teaching and good undertakings. unmarried women they can pray before the image of Xenia of St. Petersburg, who, by the will of God, became an assistant to people in matters of marriage.

Recently, in many homes, the image of the blessed old woman Matrona of Moscow has become one of the central icons. Even after her earthly death, she helps in everything those who come to her in the Intercession Church or to the grave at the Danilovskoye cemetery, or simply turn to Matrona in prayers at home. Many people have already received healing and help from her. No wonder she said: "Come to me and tell me everything, as if alive." By this, Matrona meant that her earthly death does not mean a spiritual death: after all, she is still with us.

home iconostasis. How to arrange icons

It is very important to correctly place the images in the space allotted for them. Above the iconostasis is the Crucifixion. It can be purchased at a church shop or made from wood yourself. The icon of the Holy Trinity is placed on the next tier. On the bottom shelf there should be images of the Savior, the Mother of God and Nicholas the Wonderworker. At the same time, the image of the Lord should be in the middle, the right hand (right) - the Virgin Mary, and the left (left) - Nicholas the Pleasant.

A little lower are icons of saints revered by the family. On the last tier you can put a bottle of holy water, candles and the Gospel.

Making the corner red

You can decorate the home iconostasis with fresh flowers, willow branches after the twelfth feast - the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. And on the day of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the shelves with images are framed with birch branches, as a symbol of the grace of the power of God.

On the shelf for icons, you can also install reproductions of images. They must first be consecrated and then added to the home iconostasis. Embroider a kiot (frame) for them with beads, and then they will look harmoniously with other icons.

We make a shelf

If you do not have the opportunity to purchase a stand for images, or all the models that you have met, you did not like or do not fit (for example, a small number of tiers, limited space, etc.), then do-it-yourself home iconostasis, photos of which are presented in the article , you can make your own. For a standard three-tier iconostasis, you will need wooden planks, drill and screws. In order to assemble it, you need to create drawings of a home iconostasis. Using them, you can easily calculate the dimensions wooden panels, which will depend on the number of icons located on the iconostasis.

Uncomplicated process

The most elementary stand for holy images can be made from plywood. First, you need to attach icons to it with screws in accordance with the heavenly hierarchy. After that, you should make a riza for icons - this is a special salary that frames the images. It can be created from embroidered fabric or from beads and beads. This will give the icon shelf a festive and solemn look. This is how you can make a home iconostasis with your own hands. Photos of similar works in this article will help you in its design.

Thus, the creation of a small church at home is not so much required condition the life of an Orthodox Christian, how much his spiritual impulse and desire. After all, the one who believes and loves the Lord always wants to turn to him in prayers both during the liturgy and at home service. It does not matter whether your iconostasis is made of expensive materials and lined with gilded images, or you yourself created it by hand, collecting holy images. Main value- this is your faith and desire for spiritual perfection.

I had to make lecterns different kind, with shelves, cabinet,
swivel, carved, on one leg. This option is going to four
chiselled legs.
Although the lectern does not fold, it is light enough and can be carried.
In this form, the lectern can be made with your own hands and for home use.

The body is assembled from four parts in the form of a box. Lid is installed
at an angle for ease of use. Here the angle of inclination of the cover is 32 *, probably
the angle can be within 28-35 *.

This work is already several years old, we will do exactly this option.

The front and back walls are rectangular, but a figured edge is sawn from below
by template. The sidewalls are also with a lower curly edge, but the ends are located
on an oblique, upper end at an angle of 30-32 *.

The height difference is 270 mm. , this calculation is made for the body
size 450/450 mm. . A similar option may be wider,
as in the photo below.

Detail dimensions:
Sidewalls 740 mm high. , 410 mm wide. , 20 mm thick. two pieces.
Front and rear walls 470 mm high. , 450 mm wide. , 20 mm thick. .
Here, the facade walls are wider than the sidewalls by two thicknesses of the shield. But you can do
and vice versa, the sidewalls are 450 mm wide. , and facades 410 mm wide. .

A cover is installed on top, calculation in the pictures for a continuous inclined
covers. But in this case, the lid is broken, there is a horizontal shelf on top
80 mm wide. , and the countertop is joined to it. Sharp for shelf installation
the corners of the sidewalls are cut at 90 *, we remove the fragment 20/30 mm. .
Under the shelf, also 20 mm. , shorten the front facade wall.

The body cover here is assembled in the form of a frame on spikes. I got it
frame 510/510 mm. , from strips 60 mm wide. and 20 mm thick. .
The cover in the form of a frame is made with a very specific purpose. By domestic
the edges of the strapping are passed manual router quarter into which is inserted
plywood covered with material.

After sawing out the details, the lower curly edge is milled, the profile
"mold". Body parts are glued together and attracted at the same time
self-tapping screws. Of course, the hats must be hidden, simple plastic
plugs won't fit here.

I hide self-tapping screws and eureka in two ways:
During assembly, I immediately drill the inlets of self-tapping screws, with a diameter
8 mm. or 10 mm. , to a depth of 4-5 mm. . Then I drill out the wood
plugs along this diameter, a little on the cone and tightly glued on top
self-tapping caps.

Self-tapping plugs.

Wooden plugs can be made with a crown, or homemade drills.
The look of homemade crowns is certainly not glamorous, but they have been working for a long time.
I took two old perks, cut out the center and sharpened the mustache. Made one drill
for a diameter of 8 mm. , other under 10 mm. .

Ribs closed wooden corner.

In another case, the hats are closed with a wooden finishing corner,
article . Corner from a bar with a section of 25/25 mm. .
On the circular we cut out the center so that inner dimensions were 18/18 mm.
or 20/20 mm. . Then we saw off the corner along the length and glue it on the ribs
corps. True, large carved lecterns are often made with corners, where
many overhead details.

In the next article, assembling the case on turned legs.

The interior of each Orthodox church distinguished by its uniqueness. At the same time, all of them are united by uniform rules for organizing worship. One of the attributes of church furniture is the lectern. It occupies a far from paramount place in the spiritual life of believers. However, his role in the performance of divine services deserves special attention.

Brief definition

The first mention of the lectern as an object of church life is found in the Bible, as well as in ancient liturgical books. The word itself is of ancient Greek origin and translates as "book stand".

A church lectern is a special pedestal for liturgical books, icons or a cross. Has a quadrangular shape. The average height of such a table is 130-150 centimeters. A distinctive feature of this church attribute is a sloping tabletop, which is made to facilitate the process of attaching believers to shrines and reading liturgical literature.

Kinds

There are several types of lecterns that are used during the liturgy. They can vary in size, shape and appearance. Despite minor differences, lecterns are usually interchangeable.

In the central part of the temple, one or more stands are installed, which are also called proskinitarii, which is translated from Greek as "worship". Holiday or temple icons are placed on them. Such items are often made in the form of pedestals or multifaceted columns. Central plinths are different from other types large sizes and rich appearance. A photo of the church lectern, made in the form of a proskinitary, is presented below.

Folding stands are often used during worship. In this case, the sloping tabletop is made of durable fabric, and the base is made of lightweight wooden poles. Such lecterns are light in weight and do not take up much space when folded. They are easy to move from one part of the temple to another, depending on the ordinances being performed. Therefore, they are an important component of church decoration.

The church choir also uses a special stand for reading music and chants. As a rule, this is a small tabletop with an inclination, fixed on one support. Such lecterns are called choirs. Like folding ones, they are light and mobile. In addition to the choir, they are used by clergy for the convenience of reading liturgical books during the liturgy. The choir lectern can also be made in the form of a multifaceted pyramid. Such coasters are used for the convenience of singing in a large choir.

Usage

As a rule, there are several lecterns in the church. The largest is the central one. Such a pedestal is placed in front of the iconostasis. On it is the main icon, which may change depending on the holiday or the day of remembrance of the saints. In front of the central lectern, prayers, baptisms, weddings, unctions, and others are held. During some ceremonies, the Gospel is placed on the central pedestal.

Analogues with icons of especially revered saints are found not only in the central part, but also in other aisles of the temple. Such stands are necessary for performing the sacrament of confession, during which the cross and the Gospel are placed on the pedestal. Such attributes are installed in the altar as necessary.

Next to church lecterns, which serve as stands for icons, there are often candlesticks where worshipers put candles for the holiday or saints. Such coasters can be used not only in the church, but also when laymen and monks perform personal prayers.

Making a lectern

Analogues are made most often from a wide variety of wood species. Such coasters are distinguished by beautifully carved, light weight and affordable price. also in Christian churches you can find lecterns made of stone or some metals, such as bronze. They are more stable and durable, but have a higher cost.

In the manufacture important detail is stability, and for portable stands - the presence of lightness and convenience. The support is often made in the form of a locker. This is an important practical detail, especially in small temples. Thus, the pedestal performs several functions at the same time: as a stand and additional storage space for some church items.

Even a novice master can make a church lectern with his own hands by choosing a simple model. It can be a choir or a portable pedestal made of light and durable fabric.

lectern decoration

The church lectern can be decorated in various ways. The decor is performed depending on the model with gilding, painting, embossing and other types. external design. Wooden models are distinguished by beautiful carvings made in the form of flowers or a cross. Lacquering adds nobility to the appearance, and also protects against external influences for a long time. Tabletops of pedestals are often covered with velvet fabric, suede, cloth of various noble colors.

Most often in temples during special holidays or fasting, the church lectern is covered with a beautiful fabric-riza in the color of the vestments of the clergy, and is also decorated with fresh flowers.

Meaning

The church lectern for an Orthodox church has great importance. Ease of use and different kinds allow the use of such stands for worship and various forms of the lectern makes it a practical attribute, and beautifully executed appearance- an additional decoration of any Orthodox church.