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I am a Byzantine catholic attending a Franciscan order church, for where I live is rural and the nearest Byzantine parish is over 200 miles and would like to have a Byzantine Altar at home for personal prayer and devotion and would like information on what to use. I am familiar with it needs to be facing East at the eastern most portion of the home. But does it need to be a particular height, dimension, material? Is there a particular standard for this and placings? Thank you, Josh.

I use the top of a bookcase, set up my Ikons, candles and Orthodox prayer book. don't worry about the height, etc. it is the intent. BTW, the nearest Eastern Catholic church to me is 108 miles away

Hi Josh!

I agree with JonnNightwatcher. Pick a place in your house where you can face east towards the icons. If east is not convenient, southeast or northeast is fine. The top of a bookcase is ideal. You can also hang the icons on the wall or in a corner. At a minimum you need an icon of the Savior. Then the Mother of God and your patron saint. You can also use a cross.

Nearby you need a space for your prayer book (a Bible, the Psalter you pray from, and a prayerbook).

Just keep it simple. Here's a useful link: https://orthodoxwiki.org/Icon_corner

John

My Priest has mentioned in homilies and classes that as he does houseblessings he observes that nearly every home has, at a minimum, Icons of the Savior and the Theotokos, and that they are almost always placed as though viewing them on the Iconostasis.

Thank you all very much for the information.

One may also have a pillow or yoga-style mat on which to do prostrations - don't forget to include a prayer-rope or rosary beads!

I've noticed that in Ukraine and Russia, when believers go on pilgrimages, they will take along a rolled up yoga mat which they will use to sit or lie on during breaks and even in churches on the floor.

Then there are the candles and small hand censors that one may use during Reader services especially. I also like to put on a stole during such services that can put one in the mood and the like - although this is optional.

One may also keep a box of blessed bread from Church or antidoron together with some holy water which one may partake of first thing in the morning or else if one celebrates the Typika as a Reader's service. I have some dried bread pieces that have been placed on the relics of St Seraphim of Sarov which I take in the morning with a request for his intercession for my heart condition. This imitates the early Christian practice of keeping actual Holy Communion in one's home to receive it daily - a practice later forbidden by the Church when Christian zeal waned.

Other holy objects should be kept in the icon corner such as the St Elias candle or that of the feast of the Meeting of our Lord and the like.

Alex

Thank you all so very much for your kindness, I will pray and begin an area.
May God continue to bless you.