Start with two: Christ and the Theotokos. Everything else builds from there.
Most Orthodox homes have what we call an icon corner (sometimes called a prayer corner). It’s not complicated. You need an icon of Jesus Christ and an icon of the Mother of God. That’s the foundation. If you can manage a cross and a candle or oil lamp, even better. But those two icons are what matter most.
Why These Two?
Christ is the center of everything we do. The Theotokos gave Him flesh and stands as the first of all Christians, the one who said yes to God’s plan. When you pray at home, you’re doing what the Church does, orienting yourself toward Christ, asking the prayers of His mother and the saints. Your icon corner makes that visible.
Think of it this way. Icons aren’t decorations. They’re windows. When you stand before an icon of Christ, you’re standing before Christ Himself. The wood and paint point beyond themselves to the Person they depict. That’s why the Seventh Ecumenical Council settled this question back in 787, we can depict Christ because He truly became man. He had a face. We can paint it.
Setting It Up
Traditionally, Orthodox Christians put their icon corner on an east-facing wall. We pray facing east because that’s where the sun rises, where Christ will return in glory. But here’s the thing: if your house doesn’t have a good east wall, or if the only east wall is in a bathroom or a closet, don’t stress about it. Put your icons where your family will actually pray. A corner in the living room works. A shelf in the bedroom works. The kitchen works if that’s where you gather.
Arrange them simply. Christ goes on the right (your right as you face the icons), the Theotokos on the left. That mirrors how they’re arranged on the iconostasis in church. Don’t put other icons above these two. The hierarchy matters, not because we’re being fussy, but because it teaches us something true about reality. Christ is Lord. His mother is the greatest of all created beings. Other saints, however beloved, come after.
You’ll want a small table or shelf to hold a candle. Some people use an oil lamp. Light it when you pray. Keep a bottle of holy water there if you have some from church. Maybe a prayer book. That’s really all you need.
Adding More Icons
After you’ve got Christ and the Theotokos, think about your patron saint. If you were chrismated as John, get an icon of St. John the Baptist or St. John the Theologian (whichever one you’re named for). If your daughter is named Mary, an icon of St. Mary of Egypt or St. Mary Magdalene makes sense. These are the saints who pray for you by name, whose lives you’re called to imitate.
Some families add an icon of St. Michael the Archangel, which would be particularly fitting for us here at St. Michael parish. Others keep icons of saints they’ve grown to love. St. Nicholas is common, especially in homes with children. St. Seraphim of Sarov, St. Paisios, St. Thérèse. Follow your heart here, but don’t turn your icon corner into a cluttered collection. This isn’t a trophy case. It’s a place of prayer.
You can also rotate festal icons through the year. An icon of the Nativity during Christmas. The Theophany at Epiphany. The Resurrection during Pascha. This connects your home prayers to the liturgical life of the Church.
What Not to Do
Don’t mix icons with secular stuff. I’ve seen icon corners that include family photos, souvenir magnets from vacation, little ceramic angels from Hobby Lobby. That muddles things. Your icon corner isn’t a general “spiritual stuff” shelf. It’s a specific place where you stand before Christ and His saints in prayer. Keep it clear.
And don’t worry about having expensive icons. A simple printed icon is fine. God doesn’t care if it cost $15 or $500. What matters is that you use it, that you stand before it and pray.
Making It Yours
Here’s what I’d suggest if you’re just starting out. Get an icon of Christ (a Pantocrator image is traditional) and an icon of the Theotokos (the Vladimir or the Tenderness are both beautiful and widely available). Put them on a shelf or small table in a quiet corner. Add a candle. Start praying morning and evening prayers there. That’s it.
Over time, you’ll add to it. You’ll find saints who become important to your family. You’ll bring home icons from pilgrimages or receive them as gifts. Your icon corner will grow with your life in the Church. But it starts simple: Christ, His mother, a candle, and your prayers.
If you need help finding icons or setting things up, talk to Fr. Michael or anyone on the parish council. We’ve all been where you are. And if you want to see what a home icon corner looks like in practice, ask. Most Orthodox families are happy to show you theirs. We’re not precious about this stuff, we just want to help you pray.
