What are the Icons of the Eastern Orthodox Church?
From the Greek "eikon," meaning "image," icons are pictorial representations of Christ and other deeply significant religious figures and stories from the Greek Orthodox tradition. Icons are used during prayer or as a means of contemplating the holy qualities of the image. These flat representations are intended, in contrast to the three-dimensional statues and lifelike artwork of the Catholic Church, to inspire those who view them through their non-realistic representations.
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Images of Christ
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The image of Christ is the one most prevalent on icons. His image is depicted solo, in conjunction with the Mother of God or as part of a parable or story from his life. Jesus is presented in various guises, all meant to enhance different aspects of the viewer's intimate contemplation and prayer. Christ is depicted with a hand raised in "Blessing," in an aspect of "Humility" upon the cross and "Enthroned" and seated (presumably at the right hand of God). Christ is also depicted in events from his life, including: "Christ in the Temple at Age 12," "Jesus Calling the Disciples," "Nativity of the Lord" and "Transfiguration."
Images of the Holy Apostles, Prophets and Saints
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Each Holy Apostles or Disciple -- St. Peter, St. John , St. Matthew , St. Andrew, St. Bartholomew, St. Simon , St. Thomas, St. James (both of them), St. Jude, St. Phillip, St. Matthias and Judas Iscariot -- has been depicted in numerous icons. St. Paul, though not an original disciple, is also presented as one of the Apostles. Old Testament prophets and ancient and modern Saints are also iconic subjects. Calling upon the qualities exhibited by these revered figures in their lifetimes can bring guidance and assistance to the contemplative viewer.
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Images of Angels
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The many orders of angelic beings -- archangels, guardian angels, cherubim and seraphim -- are all depicted in iconic artwork. The Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are depicted in single iconic representations and in group images. Michael is often depicted as a "warrior archangel," dressed in armor and sometimes riding into battle. Gabriel is considered the "Messenger Archangel" and is depicted in the many icons of the Annunciation. Raphael is depicted as the "archangel of happy meeting," often between family members. These (and other angelic images) are also used to when re-creating icons depicting Biblical stories.
The Theotokos
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Western Christianity and Catholicism utilize the terms Virgin Mary and Madonna. In Greek Orthodox icons, the image is referred to as The Theotokos, which, when literally translated, means approximately "The one who bore God." The Theotokos (as is the Virgin Mary in many Western paintings and statue depictions) is often shown in Orthodox icons with the infant Jesus, but is also depicted alone or as part of a Bible story about the Virgin Mary or the life of Christ. Theotokos has no actual English translation and, according to Orthodox Church tradition, should never be translated.
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