An Orthodox Christian is expected to pray constantly. According to Bishop
Kallistos Ware, "[I]n Orthodox spirituality, [there is] no separation between liturgy and private devotion." Thus the house, just like the
Temple (church building), is considered to be a consecrated place, and the center of worship in the house is the icon corner. An icon corner is normally
oriented to face east. It is often located in a corner to eliminate worldly distractions and allow prayer to be more concentrated. Here is where the
icons that the family owns should be located, normally including at least icons of
Christ, the
Theotokos, and the
Patron Saint(s) of the family. An oil lamp normally hangs in front of the icons. The careful trimming of the lamp to keep it burning at all times is interpreted as symbolic of the attentive daily care faithful Christians should take over their souls.
Relics of saints (if the family possesses any) and a
Gospel Book and a blessing
cross would be kept there, as well as
incense,
holy water,
palms and
pussywillow from
Palm Sunday, candles from
Pascha (Easter), and other sacred items, as well as a personal Commemoration Book (containing the names of family and loved ones, both living and departed, to be remembered in prayer). Ideally, the icon corner is located so that it is visible when one first enters the house from the main entrance. Traditionally, when first entering the house, an Orthodox Christian would venerate the icons before greeting the members of the house. A traditional Orthodox family will gather together every day for morning and evening prayers. Sometimes, at the end of the prayers, the head of the household will take the
hand censer and cense the icons and all the members of the household. Often, in addition to the icon corner, a family will hang a small "portal icon" (usually of the
Virgin and Christ Child) by the door, which is venerated by family and guests whenever going in or out of the house. ==Citations==