Iconostasis is a wall of religious paintings or icons that separates important sanctuaries of churches from the nave.It can also be an icon stand that can be placed anywhere within the church.The purpose of iconostasis is to separate parts of the church reserved for priests and clergy members from church members. The theological implications to incorporate this style in the church was to create a link between heaven and the nave or holy place. The pictures or icons that are portrayed in this style represent the bridge into heaven and separate. The portraits separate the altar from the eucharist and from the larger portions of the church designated to regular church members.Iconostasis evolved around the fifteenth century in Eastern Roman Empire and is associated with Byzantine architecture. Iconostasis is still prevalent in most Christian churches and Eastern Orthodox churches today. Iconostasis can also be seen in Hagia Sophia, in Istanbul Turkey. Once a Christian basilica, then an imperial mosque, and now a museum; Hagia Sophia has a fifty foot silver iconostasis in it. The purpose of the iconostasis in Hagia Sophia was to close of sections of the altar, which were only accessible to the clergy. Hagia Sophia was first built by the Eastern Roman Empire and means Holy Wisdom. It was the biggest operational cathedral in the Byzantine era and was also used to crown rulers when it was used by the Romans. The iconostasis was removed when Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque, and was returned when it was turned into a museum. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iconostasis#Theological_implications).
