[comprar-espana]

We have an ecumenical 'chapel' in our local hospital that represents several different faiths. Recently 2 beautiful icons were placed on one of the walls. I am a volunteer at the hospital and am not Orthodox but would like to see a meaningful prayer corner for the patients' families to be able to find comfort in while visiting their loved ones. In discussing this with our Eastern Orthodox priest who is one of our hospital chaplains, he, of course, would be so happy to have a linen towel, and perhaps a shelf, etc. I'd like to look into this for him but don't know where to begin looking. His hope would be to have items donated from families and really doesn't want anything plastic or cheap looking (I'd suggested those electric candles). Well, if anyone has ideas or thoughts, I'd greatly appreciate them! Diane

[UtidaBrar]

Thank you, Diane, both for your work at the hospital, and also for reaching out as a Catholic to an Orthodox forum. It sounds like you're doing a lot of good.

It might be helpful to let us know who is represented in the icons. Usually Jesus is on the right, and Mary is on the left. Often Saint John the Baptist is further to the right of Jesus, and the saint (or Trinity, or whatnot) that the place is dedicated to will be to the left of Mary the Theotokos. That's basically the bare minimum for a icon screen.

If the name of the hospital has religious significance, and if you give us more information about the donated icons, someone could perhaps recommend the "personalized" icon that goes to the left of the Theotokos.

In my home iconostasion the icons are simply displayed on a short cabinet. I keep some Orthodox supplies in the top drawer, like incense and candles, along with prayer books. I keep the Bible right in front of the icon of Jesus as Pantocrator. It's pretty simple, and I find it beautiful.

Finally, it would be great if people reverencing the icons could face East.

I don't know if any of this is helpful, but I'm sure someone else will chime in with more that will help.

Matthew

[FreeDownloadOEMsoftware]

Hi Diane,

Here is a thread on electric vigil lamps you might find interesting. I know there are open flame laws, but I can't see one of these not looking somewhat cheap. You might also consider asking the priest to ask the families of patients (as they are on the way OUT of the hospital of course) if they would not mind donating something small or something very specific to the hospital's chapel. You might be surprised what people are willing to donate. icons, banners, crosses, etc. I don't think I have heard of a linen towel used as a method of prayer for Orthodox. Maybe he was considering muslim patients? Can you ask him more about what he had in mind? I would hate for the chapel to become an "I can out-do your wall" challenge between the different faiths, but if they are all kept in a fashion to worship God, I don't see how it can hurt.

A simple shelf is easy enough to install as in any home decorative magazine. It just needs to be large enough for an icon or two and perhaps a prayer book. Of course, it can be very elaborate. It depends on the hospital administration.

Paul

PS: Here is another thread on Prayer corners specifically.

[Queueftof]

The linen towel that Diane is referring to may well be the strip of cloth, often embroidered, on which an icon rests, or which is draped over the top and sides on an icon hung on a wall. This is very much a Slavic custom, though I have seen it occasionally among Greeks. Correct me if I'm wrong, Diane!

[pharweqto]

In the cancer hospital in Sheffield (north of England), there is a very simple prayer room which has an enormous reproduction of St Andrei Rublev's Holy Trinity icon on one wall. It created a very calming feeling in the whole place. Talking of calm in hospitals, it was reported not long ago that a hospital somewhere in England had hired a harpist because harp music was found to be very relaxing and an aid to recovery. However, they were careful not to let the harpist play anywhere near the post-operative recovery room lest patients there should be put in doubt as to the success of their operation.

[oliverlogo]

Before setting up a full icon screen in a interfaith chapel, it's probably best to just begin with the icons you have. If they are of Christ and His Mother, then it is usually the case that He will go on the right and she on the left. If not, then there's no real set order (from what I can tell) for a home icon corner. If possible, it'd be best if they go in an eastern corner, so that the person praying can pray towards the east. Ask the Orthodox priest who works there about getting them blessed.

I think the best idea would be to put them on a low table or cabinet with a Bible, prayer book, rosary, and candle (if allowable). Finding a nice piece of cloth for them to rest on would also be very appealing aesthetically.