Iconostasis
The screen of icons separating the nave from the sanctuary in an Orthodox church.
The iconostasis is the screen of icons separating the nave (the congregation's space) from the sanctuary (the altar's space) in an Orthodox church. The screen has doors through which the priest passes during the Divine Liturgy: the central Royal Doors directly in front of the altar, and side doors used by the deacon and altar servers. The iconostasis carries icons in a traditional arrangement: Christ to the right of the Royal Doors, the Theotokos to the left, the patron saint of the parish next to Christ, and the icon of the feast at the center above the Royal Doors. The screen makes the spatial-theological distinction between the assembled people and the consecration of the gifts at the altar visually present.