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How to Set Up an Orthodox Icon Corner Properly
The speaker observes that most Orthodox homes have icons but arrange them incorrectly, scattering them as decoration next to televisions, between family photos, or with saints placed above Christ. He explains the proper way to create an icon corner: choose one place, preferably on the east wall because Orthodox Christians pray facing east.
Place Christ on the right and the Theotokos on the left, matching the arrangement of the iconostasis in church. Favorite saints may surround them but never be positioned above Christ or the Theotokos. Add a vigil lamp or candle and keep worldly items away, no television, photographs, or decorations.
When an icon becomes damaged, it should never be thrown away; instead, bring it to a priest or burn it respectfully and bury the ashes. The Church calls the home a little church, and the icon corner serves as its altar where the family stands together before God every morning and evening.
Key moments
- Most Orthodox homes have icons but set them up wrong, scattering them around the house like decoration next to the TV, between family photos, or with a favorite saint hanging above Christ.
- When an icon gets old or damaged, it often ends up in the trash, not because people don't care but because nobody showed them how to do it properly.
- Choose one place in your home, on the east wall if you can, because we pray facing east.
- Put Christ on the right and the Theotokos on the left, exactly like the iconostasis in church.
- Place your favorite saints around them, but never above the Christ or the Theotokos.
- Add a vigil lamp or a candle and keep everything worldly away from it, no TV, no photos, no decorations, just the icons.
- If an icon gets damaged, never throw it away; bring it to your priest or burn it respectfully and bury the ashes.
- The church calls our home a little church, and that corner is its altar where your family stands together in front of God every morning and every evening.