THE ICONOSTASIS AND ALTAR SECTION OF THE CHURCH IN
HONOR OF ST. SPYRIDON OF TRIMYTHOUS IN MINSK

The project of the interior of the altar section of the Church in honour of St. Spyridon of Trimythous in Minsk includes:

- the project of the altar barrier;
- design of the Holy Table with the ciborium;
- the design of the Oblation Table;
- the design of the synthrone with the bishop's seat;
- the design of the washbasin.

The altar barrier is a steel-framed structure, which is covered with natural stone with a pronounced uneven texture from the main façade. The sides of the altar barrier are made up of three-dimensional compositions in the form of two ciboria. The ciboria, like the central part with the Royal Door, rest on pillars with carved bases and capitals. There are apertures above the icons of the Saviour and the Mother of God, decorated with austere forged pieces. There is also a carved white-stone frieze beneath the icons.

There are inserts made of ceramic tiles and white-stone décor in some places. A carved architrave with floral ornament runs along the entire width of the altar barrier. There are blossoming crosses on the columns which support the underpinning arches; they are made in the rough technique of mosaics from large pieces of stones, ceramics and smalt; and there are icons hanging above them. The altar barrier is crowned with a golden cross, flanked by the signs of Chrism set on the ciboria.

The Holy Table is designed in the form of a stone table with a ciborium. There is a wooden table inside the Holy Table, which is consecrated, and the entire outer part is its cover. The Holy Table is decorated with a white-stone carving and large mosaic inserts made of natural stone, ceramics, and smalt. There are lamps suspended on the corners of the ciborium. The oblation table also has a ciborium; there are wooden doors and a shelf for storage of liturgical utensils at the bottom of it.

The décor of the synthrone features elements referring back both to the Byzantine and Russian religious art and to the Belarusian folk heritage. The oblation table and the synthrone, as well as the Holy Table, are decorated with white-stone carving and large mosaic inserts made of natural stone, ceramics, and smalt. The washbasin is supposed to be placed in the sacristy, but its exact location is still undefined. At this stage, its design, appearance, and decoration have been developed.

The ornamental carving of all the parts of the sanctuary ensemble represents Eucharistic symbolism. Natural stone (limestone), marble, glazed ceramics, metal and wood are supposed to be used in the production.

Detailed drawings of the iconostasis: