An icon case or kiot (Russian: киот, Ukrainian: кіот, Greek: προσκυνητάρι) is a decorated case (usually foldable) or glass shelf for keeping and displaying religious
icon
An icon () is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Catholic churches. They are not simply artworks; "an icon is a sacred image used in religious devotion". The most ...
s.
Etymology
The East Slavic form ''kiot'', sometimes used in English, derives from the Greek κῑβωτός, "box, ark". The usual word in Greek, however, is προσκυνητάρι, from προσκυνητής, "pilgrim", referring to the carrying of icons in cases or stands by pilgrims.
[Dictionary of Standard Modern Greek, s.v.]
προσκυνητάρι
.
Design
Icon cases vary in size and in design. Common Greek kiots are tall and typically made of carved wood. They can be ornate or simple. They resemble windows with a roof or dome on top, and therefore support the
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Eastern Orthodox Church, also called the Orthodox Church, is the second-largest Christian church, with approximately 220 million baptized members. It operates as a communion of autocephalous churches, each governed by its bishops via ...
theology which regards icons as "windows into heaven". The icon usually is placed vertically rather than at an angle (as on an
analogion
An analogion ( el, Ἀναλόγιον) is a lectern or slanted stand on which icons or the Gospel Book are placed for veneration by the faithful in the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches. It may also be used as a lectern to r ...
). Sometimes there may be a secondary icon on a slanted shelf below the main icon. Some Greek kiots also have a step or platform so that veneration of the icon is easier.
Often parishes with a kiot will place their patron saint, or the patron saint of the city in the kiot. Larger
cathedral
A cathedral is a church that contains the '' cathedra'' () of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, conference, or episcopate. Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually specific to those Christian denomination ...
s may have many kiots set up around the
nave
The nave () is the central part of a church, stretching from the (normally western) main entrance or rear wall, to the transepts, or in a church without transepts, to the chancel. When a church contains side aisles, as in a basilica-type ...
. Some large Greek cathedrals feature kiots placed against a wall - resembling an
iconostasis
In Eastern Christianity, an iconostasis ( gr, εἰκονοστάσιον) is a wall of icons and religious paintings, separating the nave from the sanctuary in a Church (building), church. ''Iconostasis'' also refers to a portable icon stand t ...
- with multiple saints on them.
Additionally, some kiots may also contain a special place in front of the icon for the faithful to place beeswax candles. They may also have a
votive
A votive offering or votive deposit is one or more objects displayed or deposited, without the intention of recovery or use, in a sacred place for religious purposes. Such items are a feature of modern and ancient societies and are generally ...
hanging in front of the icon itself.
See also
*
Analogion
An analogion ( el, Ἀναλόγιον) is a lectern or slanted stand on which icons or the Gospel Book are placed for veneration by the faithful in the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches. It may also be used as a lectern to r ...
*
Iconostasis
In Eastern Christianity, an iconostasis ( gr, εἰκονοστάσιον) is a wall of icons and religious paintings, separating the nave from the sanctuary in a Church (building), church. ''Iconostasis'' also refers to a portable icon stand t ...
*
Icon corner
The icon corner, sacred corner or red corner, ( el, εικονοστάσι - meaning red, bright-shining, or beautiful corner) is a small worship space prepared in the homes of Eastern Orthodox, Greek-Catholic and Roman Catholic Christians. It ...
Notes
Eastern Orthodox icons
Eastern Christian liturgical objects
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