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Explore the significance and beauty of icons through three thought-provoking questions: Aren't you worshipping idols? Why do they look so weird? What good are they? Discover the answers and unravel the power of icons as windows to heaven.
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ICONSnot just a click on the computer screen, but WINDOWS TO HEAVEN
3 Questions • Aren’t you worshipping Idols? • Why do they look so Weird? • What good are they?
1. Aren’t you worshipping Idols? 10 Commandments in Exodus 20:2f 1 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 2 Thou shalt not make unto thee anygraven image,
Iconoclasm • Iconoclasts: 730 – 850 A.D. • Imperial & State authority & power • Icons were Wrong • Icons were smashed • (con icon) • Iconodules (pro Icon) • --lay people • Monasteries • Theologians: St. John of Damascus
God the Iconographer: Colossians 1:15 “He (Christ) is the image of the invisible God.” in Greek “image” = “icon” the Christ is the invisible God made visible John 14:9 Jesus said to him… He who has seen Me has seen the Father… No Graven statues Icon = 2 d
Saints • All Icons are icons of Christ
THE 7TH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL • Define: that Holy Icons should be • Exhibited • Contemplated • Kissed • Venerated (proskynisis) • Not worshipped (latreia) • transmit the love & worship • to the Prototype • Triumph of Orthodox Sunday (1st S. of Lent)
2. Why do they look so Weird? • Gospels in colour (not mere art) • not realistic • flat 2 dimensional (spiritual v. secular) • inverse Perspective ascetic • stylised • abstract & Poetic
Some Ground Rules …about the “writing” of icons • no “Graven Images” • only 2 dimensional representations • no depicting of God the Father • no ego for the iconographer • fasting and prayer • anonymous • instruments, brushes, etc. are consecrated • not free for all for Iconographer: • manuals to help follow the Tradition • copies the Tradition
3. What good are they? • not just religious art • not = “holy pictures” – “Obraz” -- not just decoration • not education, teaching illiterate • not fill empty space on the wall • Windows to Heaven
Icons in Liturgy & Temple • Presence of the Divine • Theology of Beauty