In the days of the early Church, Christians used to meet for prayer in the homes of the faithful.
This tradition of 'House Churches' in addition to the larger community places of worship continues to this day in Eastern or Orthodox Christianity. The centre of worship in the house is the Icon Corner, also referred to as the "beautiful corner".
The term 'icon' comes from the Greek eikon which means a depiction or pictorial representation. Carved or sculptured images are still unacceptable in the Orthodox tradition, but the flat, painted icons are interestingly considered 'written' rather than painted, and we speak of icon writers rather than icon painters.
Created usually upon the wall one faces when entering the main room of the home, the icon corner is considered the most sacred and spiritual part of the home, and traditionally, was organised structurally facing east. This is where the family gathers to pray, to celebrate major events in their lives, and to honour those who have passed on.
In the centre of the wall hangs a wooden or painted Cross. Around it, icons of Jesus Christ are grouped on the right, while icons of Mary holding him as a child are placed on the left. The icons of Christ in Orthodoxy celebrate his different aspects ^ as Light-giver, Life-giver, Teacher, Lover of humankind as well as significant events of his life.
You will also find here icons of angels and saints, especially those of patron saints after whom the family members are named. Icons are given as presents to mark important events such as baptism, graduation, marriage, birthdays and name-days.
A beautiful tradition in Russia is that when you enter the home of an Orthodox Christian, you usually try not to greet anyone before saying a small prayer before the icon corner. Icons were meant to capture the spiritual aspects of Christ and the saints, and therefore were stylised in a manner that highlighted their holiness rather than their humanity, and as such include symbols meant to communicate far more than just the identity of the person depicted. It is for this reason that there is a precise, exacting discipline of copying old icons rather than expressions of individual artistic interpretation; everything from colours to facial expressions and gestures is predetermined.
Icon-writing has specific requirements. The iconographer prepares for the task of copying an icon by a period of fasting and prayer, quieting his spirit and submitting himself to God. The icon will not be signed, and in keeping with the attitude of creating it, he will shy away from praise or recognition for his work. The icon, he fully understands, is made to inspire and lead others into worship.
The family icon corner has a small table in front with a beautifully embroidered cloth over it, on which the Bible, prayer books, prayer-ropes, holy water or sacred anointing oil is kept. Some families include a small incense-burning censer ^ the smoke from the swinging censer is a symbol of prayers rising to Heaven. Icons are often illuminated with candles or oil lamps. Besides the practical purpose of making icons visible in an otherwise dark church or dwelling, they symbolise Christ as the light of the world.
A significant teaching is that this sacred image is a 'window into heaven', and not an object of worship. Absolute worship and adoration can only ever be directed to God, but respect and reverence can be directed to icons. The icon serves to help focus on prayer. The prayer goes, in a sense, through the icon.