Click on any of the Icons for a detail image.

The Iconostatis, or Icon Screen, is characteristic of all Byzantine Churches. An Icon is a stylized religious depiction of any sacred person or event. The word "icon" comes from the Greek EIKWN - which means "to see". An Icon is an attempt for us, here and now, to visualize the sacred persons and events of our faith, to see in them the divine presence and recognize that presence in our midst. Since God became man in Jesus Christ, we are able to look upon His image. "What the word transmits through the ear, the painting shows silently through the Icon, and by these two means mutually accompanying one another, we receive knowledge of one and the same thing." (St. Basil the Great, On the Forty Martyrs ).

In order to show the transforming relationship which happens to one who enters into union with God a highly stylized technique is used. The eyes are always large, almost penetrating. They look at us directly and invite us to enter into the divine world. The nose is long and extended, a sign of the just man who is slow to anger (Jonah 4:2). All the senses are marked by a sign of God's transformation.

The Iconostatis serves as a visible sign of the union between heaven and earth; of the union with God and mankind. In the center of the Iconostatis are the Royal Doors (shown open in this image). The filigree work is in the form of a grapevine. Jesus Himself is the vine and we are the branches (John 15:1-2). The Icons of the Evangelists are placed in the order in which they are found in the New Testament: St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke and St. John. Each evangelist is shown with the book he wrote. Through the Gospels Christ speaks to us. Through Christ the kingdom of God is opened to us. The Royal Doors are symbols of the Gates of Paradise. They are opened as an invitation for us to share in the Kingdom of God. A bishop or priest enters through the doors only when he acts in Christ's name

Our Church visualizes our faith in Jesus Christ. Through the presence of the Iconostasis we see that salvation is for us here and now. We stand in this holy presence when we come together for worship. In His presence we listen to the Holy Gospel and celebrate the sacred mysteries of our faith. In Jesus Christ we are formed into a holy People of God and are called to live a life of Christian witness. We are created in the image and likeness of God. May we grow as living icons of our Lord God and Savior. May we walk in the path of the saints and grow in faith, life and spiritual understanding.