Start with three: Christ, the Theotokos, and a cross. That’s it. You don’t need a collection to begin.
Your icon corner isn’t about decorating. It’s a place to pray. Think of it as bringing the church into your home, a spot where you can stand before the Lord without distractions, where your kids can learn to cross themselves and say their prayers, where you can light a candle at 5 a.m. before your shift at the refinery starts. The icons aren’t there to look pretty on your wall. They’re windows into heaven, making the invisible visible.
The Essentials
Place Christ on the right side. The Theotokos goes on the left. A cross in the center. This arrangement isn’t arbitrary, Christ sits at the right hand of the Father, and we’re reflecting that reality in our homes. The icon of Christ is usually the Pantocrator (Christ Almighty), showing Him as teacher and judge. For the Theotokos, many people start with the Vladimir or Tenderness icons, showing her holding the Christ child.
You can find these at your parish bookstore, order them online from places like Legacy Icons, or even print them temporarily if money’s tight. A simple icon in a cheap frame beats no icon at all.
Where to Put Them
Traditionally, the icon corner faces east. We pray toward the rising sun, toward Eden, toward the direction Christ will come again. But if your house doesn’t cooperate with that, don’t stress. Pick a quiet corner where you can actually pray, a bedroom, living room, even a hallway if that’s what works. Some people use a small table or shelf. Others mount icons directly on the wall.
Keep it separate from regular life. Don’t stack your icon of Christ next to last month’s mail and your truck keys. This space is set apart.
Adding More Over Time
Once you’ve got the basics, you can add your patron saint. If you’re named Michael, get St. Michael the Archangel. If you were chrismated on the feast of St. Nicholas, he’s a good choice. Add saints you’ve grown to love, St. Mary of Egypt if you’re working through repentance during Lent, St. John Chrysostom if his homilies have shaped your faith.
You might add feast icons too. The Nativity during Christmas season. The Crucifixion and Resurrection. These help you pray through the church year at home.
But don’t just collect icons like baseball cards. Each one should mean something, should be someone you’re actually praying with. I’ve seen inquirers get overwhelmed, buying a dozen icons their first month because they’re excited. That’s fine, but remember the purpose. You’re not curating a gallery.
The Hierarchy Matters
Arrange your icons with Christ and the Theotokos most prominent. Your patron saint doesn’t go above Christ. St. Seraphim of Sarov, as beloved as he is, doesn’t overshadow the Theotokos. This isn’t about being legalistic, it’s about keeping our theology straight even in our homes. The physical arrangement teaches us something true about reality.
What Else Goes There
Add a candle or oil lamp. Beeswax candles are traditional, but a simple votive works. Light it when you pray. The flame reminds us that Christ is the Light of the world. Keep your prayer book there, your Bible, maybe a bottle of holy water from Theophany. Some families keep their wedding crowns there, or pussy willows from Palm Sunday.
Get Your Priest Involved
Have Father bless your icons. There’s usually a short service for this. It’s not magic, but it sets these images apart for sacred use. And if you’re unsure about anything, whether an icon is appropriate, how to arrange things in a weird corner of your house, whether that icon you inherited from your grandmother is actually an icon or just religious art, ask him. That’s what he’s there for.
For the Converts Reading This
If you’re coming from a Baptist background, this might feel strange. You grew up thinking images in worship were borderline idolatrous. But here’s the thing: we’re not worshiping the images. When you venerate an icon of Christ, you’re honoring Christ Himself. The kiss, the candle, the prayer, it all passes through to the person depicted. It’s like kissing a photo of your spouse when you’re working offshore for two weeks. You’re not kissing paper. You’re expressing love for the person.
Start small. Let this practice grow on you. Give it a year, and you’ll wonder how you ever prayed without that icon of Christ looking back at you, reminding you who you’re talking to.
