Ikona w liturgii, liturgia na ikonie. O ikonie w przestrzeni sakralnej

The icon in liturgy, liturgy on the icon.The icon in liturgical space The article presents the position of icon in the sacred space of the Orthodox church and its function in liturgy of the Byzantine rite. In the beginning a rich theology of icon was outlined and its importance in Eastern tradition. In the Eastern Church the icon is considered as a window to heaven, a special sacrament of God’s presence – Christ, Mary and saints among the people. Equally important is the role of illustrating and revealing a dogma, a didactic explanation of the Church’s teaching to the faith-ful. These functions the icon plays mostly within the temple, mainly during liturgy, which celebrated on the earth is also considered as an image – an icon of celestial liturgy. Through the article a reader is made familiar with the iconographic plan of the church and the arrangement of the icons according to the strictly observed pattern. It becomes more comprehensive in the context of liturgical action, when the icon plays a very important role. For that reason the particular parts of Divine Liturgy (Eucha-rist) are described with regard to the role of icons within the celebration. Eventually the paper presents several icons of a strictly liturgical character, that have started to appear within the church since the 9th century. Finding a right place within the sacred space, the icons have affirmed their liturgical flavour and assured about their exceptional meaning in life, liturgy and ecclesial spirituality of the Byzantine rite.