Icons & Iconography

Byzantine Catholics are surrounded by icons, icons are full of symbolism and meaning and aim to help us in our prayer and to bring us closer to God. They invite us to the encounter with the living God, Blessed Mary, and the saints. These are just a few examples of the most popular icons you can find in our churches and homes.

The following are just a few examples of the most popular icons found in the Byzantine Catholic Churches:

• Mother of Perpetual Help
• St. Nicholas
• St. John the Baptist
• Sts Cyril & Methodius
• Albazinskaya Icon
• Our Lady of the Sign
• Inexhaustible Cup Icon
• Theotokos of Life-Giving Spring Icon
• Jesus Christ Pantocrator
• Apostles Paul & Peter

• Approach the icon and make two bows
• Kiss the icon on feet or hands (never the face)
• You may place a candle before the icon
• Make an additional metania and then depart

Byzantine church architecture follows the pattern of the Jersusalem Temple. Just as the Temple was  divided into the outer court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies, so too Byzantine churches are divided into narthex, nave (aka the "temple of the faithful"), and sanctuary.

In the Temple, a heavy veil separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. Similarly, in Byzantine churches the iconostasis (Greek for icon stand) or Templon, a screen wall consisting of one or more rows of icons, divides the nave from the sanctuary. The iconostasis reveals the heavenly Church's presence in our earthly liturgies in two ways: 

1. The Iconostasis has three sets of doors. The central Holy Doors  or beautiful gate contains an icon of the annunciation and the two "deacon's doors" or "angel doors" are to the left and the right and symbolize that we now have access to God through Jesus
2. Images of Mary, the saints, and Jesus adorn the iconostasis, reminding us that, in Jesus, we have seen God and can now depict Him

1. The Sovereign Tier: To the immediate right of the Royal Doors is an icon of Christ the Teacher, portrayed with the open Gospel book. To the immediate left side is an icon of the Theotokos, who points the way to Christ. In the Ruthenian tradition, the far right icon is the patron of the parish church, and the far left icon is St. Nicholas. 
2. The Intercession Tier: In the center of this tier is a large icon of Christ Entroned. To the left and right are icons of John the Baptist and the Theotokos - the two purest human beings apart from Christ Himself - interceding for humanity before the throne of Christ.
3. The Festal Tier: This tier contains icons illustrating the major moments in the life of Christ and the Theotokos. These moments are celebrated as major feast days throughout the year.
4. The Prophets Tier: This tier contains images of the Prophets, Patriarchs, and other major Old Testament figures who prefigure Christ and prepared the way for Him.
5. The Twelve Apostles Tier: Central to this tier is the image of Christ enthroned in judgement. On either side of Christ are images of the Twelve Apostles, reminding us that we will one day be judged according to the Gospel the Apostles received from Christ and preached to the ends of the earth. 

In the dome of the narthex is painted an image of Christ the Pantocrator, presiding over both the heavenly and earthly liturgies. Typically only Christ's head and shoulders are depicted in the dome. This reminds us that Christ Himself is our head and we make up His Body on earth. 

Bytzantine Churches face east and the whole structure follows the floorplan of the Tabernacle (Exodus 25) and the TEmple (Hebrews 9). They are traditionally divided into three parts, the narthex (entry way), the nave (where the congregation gathers), and the sanctuary. An iconostasis always divides the sanctuary from the narthex. 

The sanctuary symbolizes the heaven, while the nave - the earth. The "cupola," or "dome" above the nave symbolizes the sky and has an image of Christ the Pantokrator to remind us that He is our head and we are his body. 

The Byzantine Sanctuary is the Holiest place in a Byzantine Catholic Church. It is located behind the altar screen called iconostasis. It contains the following:

• Altar table: It is located in the center, just behind the Holy doors of Beautiful gate. On top of the altar is the tabernacle, the book of the Gospel, and the antimension. Behind the altar a candelabra containing seven candles is found.
• Tabernacle or artophorion: It is the sacred vessel used to reserve the Eucharist for the sick; it is usually shaped in the form of a Church. The presence of Christ in the tabernacle is signaled by a vigil lamp.
• Table of Preparation or Prothesis: This table is found in the sanctuary to the left of the altar. This is the table used for the service pf preparing the prosphora (bread) and wine; this service is known as proskomedia or office of oblation. On top of the prothesis rest the chalice (cup), the diskos (plate), the lance (liturgical knife), a liturgical spoon (for the distribution of Holy Communion), the asterisk or star (a metal stand that holds the cover for the Eucharist bread or prosphora).
• Antimension: A rectangle piece of silk or linen decorated with the image of Christ's entombment and the image of the four Evangelists that is blessed by the bishop on Holy Thursday. A small relic of a martyr is sewn into it. During the Divine Liturgy (Eucharist), the antimension is place on the center of the altar. The antimension serves as a an altar in case of pastoral necessity and the Eucharist cannot be celebrated without it. Only the priest, deacon or bishop can touch the antimension when fully vested.