ikonostasis

An iconostasis is a screen or partition found in Eastern Christian churches of Byzantine tradition. Typically made of stone, wood, or metal, it separates the sanctuary from the nave. Originally a simple partition, it evolved into a row of columns filled with icons, eventually becoming a solid screen extending the width of the sanctuary.12

The iconostasis features a central "royal door" and two smaller side doors. It is adorned with icons, prominently displaying the Incarnation (mother and child) and Christ the Pantocrator. Icons of Evangelists, the Annunciation, and the Last Supper are often placed above the royal doors. The arrangement of icons, including archangels, apostles, and Old Testament prophets, follows complex patterns, with all figures facing the royal doors. The iconostasis emphasizes the mysterious presence of Christ in the Eucharist, representing His manifestation between His first and second comings.13