iconostasis

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Borrowed from Byzantine Greek εἰκονόστασις (eikonóstasis), from εἰκών (eikṓn, icon) + στάσις (stásis, fixture).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˌaɪkəˈnɒstəsɪs/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

iconostasis (plural iconostases or iconostaseis)

  1. (Eastern Orthodoxy) A wall of icons between the sanctuary and the nave in an Eastern Orthodox church.
    • 1932, Maurice Baring, chapter 10, in Friday's Business[1]:
      The altar was hidden behind an Iconostasis. The church was looked after by an old sacristan who lived in a cottage on the shore of the lake.

Translations

See also