Miniature versions of the iconostasis—or icon screen in an Orthodox church—were designed to be portable, to be used for worship in homes, when traveling, or on the battlefield. They were also used by groups, such as the Old Believers, who fled persecution and worshiped in private spaces. As you can see from the hinges, these iconostases fold; when fully folded, only the Royal Doors and the icons immediately above them were visible.

Though small in scale, the folding iconostasis uses the same organizing structure as a full-size iconostasis. There are several interesting features of this small iconostasis. We surmise that it was painted in the Solovetski region because the two founding Saints of that Monastery, Zosima and Savaati, appear in their brown monk tunics at either end of the row of Saints. This iconostasis was possibly used by priests or monks from that monastery to tend to the ill who could not attend church services. In fact, all the Saints depicted here have inscriptions below them which indicate which illness he or she could heal.