What Is a Religious Icon?
Religious icons are sacred images, most commonly associated with Eastern Orthodoxy, and are considered to be "prayer made visible." Icons are important, not only as examples of early Orthodox Christian art but especially as devotional tools for prayer.
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Features
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Icons have a distinctive style. Unlike Western paintings that attempt to duplicate a three-dimensional image in two dimensions, figures in icons appear flattened. The formal figures are often frontal, with large eyes that engage viewers and draw them into the icon and thus, closer to God. Icons are painted in reverse perspective from the viewpoint of God, who is within the painting, rather than from the viewer's perspective.
Significance
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Icons have been used since the earliest days of Christianity. The creation of icons is considered a ministry in the Eastern Church and iconographers are trained to use the correct symbols and methods. Icons are sacred objects that are venerated by the faithful, who pray before them, touch them and kiss them. In addition to depicting the eternal liturgy taking place in Heaven, icons have also been associated with miraculous events including healings. Icons depict Jesus, Mary the Mother of God, the saints and fathers of the Church, and holy days, among other themes.
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Identification
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In order to understand an icon's significance it is important to study every aspect of it, including colors, postures and symbols. In the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (above) Mary is shown wearing a blue robe, symbolizing heaven, over a red dress symbolizing her queenship and also penance. She holds Jesus, wearing a red robe, symbolizing his Passion, who clings to her as he looks over his shoulder at the Archangel Gabriel, who holds the Cross and nails. The Archangel Michael holds the lance, the spear and a jar of vinegar and gall. Abbreviations for "Mother of God," "Jesus," Archangel Michael" and "Archangel Gabriel" are seen around the figures.
Considerations
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While icons, with their flattened faces and unrealistic forms, may seem mysterious to Western eyes, they are not meant to be merely decorative pieces. Their lines and colors combine to teach Church tenets and biblical concepts.
Christ Pantocrator
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The icon of Christ Pantocrator, one of the most prominent subjects in Eastern Orthodox icons, represents Christ as "all mighty," "ruler of all" or "judge of all." He sits in solemn dignity wearing robes of royal purple. He holds in his left hand the book of Gospels, which bears a cross to recall His Passion. His right hand is raised in the pose of blessing. His head is surrounded by a gold halo, denoting his divinity.
The study of icons is very complex and many interpretations are possible because of theological and cultural differences between Eastern and Western Christianity.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Our Lady of Perpetual Help icon, Church of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Rome, c. 13th-15th century. -- public domain image
