The Iconostasis is the central focal point of any newcomer's visit to a Byzantine Church. It stands guarding the Holy Table. There are central sections to any Iconostasis. Ours is rather simple, making it easy to see the central points of the Iconostasis and its holy purpose.
To the left of the altar (from the perspective of one entering the Church) is Christ. Usually seated in a teaching position, the icon of Our Lord blesses with one hand and holds the Scriptures, signifying Wisdom, in the other. To the right of the altar is Mary, the Theotokos (Mother of God), holding the Christ in her arms. To the outside of these icons are the doors through which the deacon and servers enter and exit.
At the center of the Iconostasis are two doors referred to as the Royal Doors, through which only the priest can enter. The doors usually have icons of the four evangelists on them.
Behind the altar, the most common icon is referred to as a Deisis icon. This usually depicts Christ in the center, surrounded by Saints offering supplication.
Outside of the server doors are usually the patron saint of the Church as a whole (St. Nicholas, the patron of the Byzantine Catholic Church, and St. John the Baptist are common) and the patron saint of the parish (in this case, Saint Anne.)
In many cases, Iconostases have two or three tiers, or rows (ours has one); the second row usually houses icons of the twelve feasts of the Byzantine Church, and the third tier usually depicts the twelve apostles.
Directly in front of the Iconostasis we see a small table referred to as the tetrapod, upon which rests the icon of the the feast for that day.
--Joe
