Byzantine Blog

Sophia wrote to say she's giving an icon to a non-Orthodox person and would like to include a description of what icon is with her present. At first I thought my articles about icon tradition, Byzantine icons and non-traditional icons provide enough introductory information to iconography. But additional clarification of the basic iconographic concepts and an answer to the question what icon is may be useful.

Means of Worship and Veneration

Icon's primary function is liturgical. Iconography is one of three ecclesiastical art forms (Church hymns and music are the other two) that is used as a means of worshiping God and venerating His Saints. It serves to lead the soul from the visible to the invisible, from the material to the spiritual. Icons are given honorable reverence by Orthodox Christians that is not equal to worship: "the honor which is given to the icon passes over to the prototype" (St. Basil the Great). Even though God and His Saints do not need the honor we offer them, as Constantine Cavarnos notes, "it is only proper for us to do so (...) as the adoration of God and the admiration of saints are expressions of a soul that sees and loves the beauty of holiness, of spiritual perfection, and feels grateful to the Deity and to holy men for their many benefactions to mankind. Such a response is not merely something proper for us, but is also conductive to our salvation." (Orthodox Iconography, by Constantine Cavarnos)

Window into Heaven

Icon is a window through which we peer into the heavenly realm. We see holy men and women glorified by God, in their transcendent, sanctified bodies and forms.

Theology in Color

Icon helps us learn about our Faith. It faithfully follows the Scripture and illustrates it through Festal icons. This is partly why iconographer is not allowed to improvise and give us her own vision - Scriptures cannot be re-written or changed. It is not a dialogue, an iconographer serves to re-tell the same Story, in colors and forms.

Image and Likeness

If it wasn't for icons, we wouldn't know how St. Nicholas looked. Through icons, we learn St. Nicholas is not a jolly fat man dressed in red velvet pants and white fur, but a dignified Hierarch, Holy Bishop of the Church and a Miracle Worker. Eastern Orthodox Church has preserved the clear and untainted memory for two thousand years. Through generations of faithful iconographers, it has also preserved the images of her Hierarchs, Holy Fathers and Martyrs. Each Holy Image is a prototype that cannot be changed and has to be instantly recognizable by every Christian, even if they can't read the inscription and don't know whose icon we intended to write. This is integral part of Holy Tradition.

Aid to Prayer

Icon helps us focus our minds on prayer and in prayerful contemplation. When we pray in front of an icon of our Lord, Most Holy Theotokos or Saints, we are not addressing the board, or the painting on it, but the one whose image it represents. Church, like a true Body of Christ with Him as its Head, is an Arc of Salvation for sinful men and made to fit our measure, not some unattainable ideal. And men who learned they have a Living God in Person have a need to address their Protectors as those who are ever-present, with eyes to see and ears to hear.

Reminder

Icon is a constant reminder of the Heavenly Church we belong to and the Heavenly Communion we take part in when taking our place in Holy Liturgy. Church is not just this or that temple where we worship our Lord, it is comprised of all its members, living and passed, the Clergy, Apostles, all of our Holy Fathers and Martyrs. We are all members of One, Holy, Catholic (Universal) and Apostolic Church Whose Head is Christ. "My beach is my church" may work for some, but it has nothing to do with actual Church, established by Christ, where we worship Him fully and properly.

Ideal Models

Icon arouses us to imitate the virtues of the Holy Personages depicted on them. Icon is an inspiration to Orthodox Christian who strives to better himself. It helps transform our characters, it lifts our spirits up and motivates us morally and spiritually.