Changes

[[Image:Insidestjoesbrighter.jpg|thumb|A Ukrainian Iconostas iconostasis with two tiers in the Modern Kozak Stylestyle]]An '''iconostasis''' (also '''iconostas''' or '''icon screen''') is a screen or wall which serves as a stable support for [[icon]]s and marks the boundary between the [[nave]] and the [[altar]] or sanctuary. The term can also refer to a folding, portable set of icons. There has been historically and continues to be a vast range of styles for iconostases: Some are simply two icons of the [[Theotokos]] and the [[Jesus Christ|Lord]]; the most complex, cathedral icon screens have multiple tiers with many icons per tier. The iconostasis is perhaps the most distintive feature of [[Byzantine riteRite]] churches. It evolved from the Byzantine templon, originally a small rail without icons that marked the boundary between the nave and the altar.

#The [[Royal Doors|Holy Doors]] (or the Royal Doors). These usually are a [[Diptychs|diptych]] of the [[Annunciation]]. Sometimes they may also have the icons of the four [[evangelist]]s. This entrance is reserved for the use of the bishop, and the priest when he is carrying either the Gospel book or the chalice containing the holy [[Eucharist]]. In other words, it is reserved liturgically for the use of Christ as master and Lord.#North door (the north and south doors are often called "[[Deacon's Doors|deacon's doors]]"). This will usually often depict an archangel, almost always St. Michael. This door is liturgically the exit from the altar, often interpreted mystically as heaven. Thus, St. Michael guards the door to heaven. This icon is also sometimes a deacon, usually St. Stephen the Protomartyr, or an archangel, usually St. Michael.#South door. This door is the liturgical entrance to the altar, interpreted mystically as heaven. The same as abovearchangel on this door is St. Gabriel, whose announcement to the [[Theotokos]] marks the beginning of the [[Incarnation]], though if which is our entrance to the heavenly realm. If a [[deacon]] is depicted, it is usually St. Philip or St. Lawrence, and if an [[archangel]], usually St. Gabriel.#These icons (when present) are usually [[saint]]s especially near to a parish or nation, such as Ss. [[Nicholas of Myra]], [[George the Trophy-bearer]], [[Demetrios of Thessaloniki|Demetrius the Myrrh-streaming]], [[Sergius of Radonezh]], [[Apostle Andrew|Andrew the First-called]], [[Herman of Alaska]], or [[Seraphim of Sarov]].