Icons

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, ever since the 8th century, icons, which are religious paintings on wooden panels used in Greek Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, and Russian Orthodox churches and homes, play an important devotional role in these settings. The author points out that the Orthodox Church is considered an iconic pattern of the kingdom of God, and the icons are meant to remind worshipers of the work God's saints have accomplished. The paper relates that, in the art world, these icons are considered an art form worthy of exhibitions; in the Orthodox Church, they are not only considered teaching tools for the illiterate, but also a window to heaven for all worshipers.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Problems with Icons
Contribution of Icons to Religion
Relevance of Icons for the Contemporary World

From the Paper:

"It is unlikely most people would venerate icons these days. It is unlikely modern people venerate much of anything. But it is possible to see the impact they have on the modern world when one considers that they are often seen to weep, or to produce drops of blood, as noted above. Whether the tears or blood are real is almost immaterial, which seems to be what the Greek Orthodox bishop was saying. It seems that he might have been saying that what was important abut the incident was that a large group of people believed in the action, and by extension, believed in the sanctity of the icon. They believed that the icon was a true representation of at least the characteristics of the saint depicted. They did not believe, then, that it was the icon itself doing the work, but rather the "ascended spirit" of the person depicted."

More papers on Icons:

• Research Paper # 27888 : "Theology of Icons: The Defense of John of Damascus"
• Essay # 59579 : "The Art of Icons"
• Essay # 72853 : "American Icons"

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