Monthly Archives: July 2010

Why does the Orthodox Cross have three bars?

Posted on July 20, 2010 by iconreader

The three-barred Cross is the most common shape used in the Orthodox Church – whether as simple simple adornments, crucifixes, or in Icons which show the Cross, the three bars are usually present. Continue reading →

Posted in Iconography | Tagged , | 21 Comments

Why are vigil lamps lit before icons?

Posted on July 16, 2010 by iconreader

Here is St. Nikolai of Ohrid’s answer to the question: “Why are vigil lamps lit before icons?” Continue reading →

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The Annunciation

Posted on July 14, 2010 by iconreader

This icon marks the crowning of our salvation and the revelation of the mystery before all ages. For the Son of God becomes the son of the Virgin, and Gabriel proclaims to Mary: “Hail, O full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Continue reading →

Posted in Icons of the Incarnation, The Theotokos | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Icon-Not-Made-With-Hands

Posted on July 11, 2010 by iconreader

Amid the bustle, Jesus used a face-cloth which miraculously bore the image of His face. This was given to King Abgar’s courtier and, with the letter, was returned to Edessa with the promise that Christ would send one of His disciples soon. Continue reading →

Posted in History, Icons of Christ, Special Icons | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Our Relationship with Icons

Posted on July 9, 2010 by iconreader

What we see in a Holy Icon is not an accurate description of the Icon, but a painfully accurate reflection of who we are. We do not define Holy Images, they define us. Continue reading →

Posted in Iconography, Icons of Christ | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Holiness of Icons

Posted on July 9, 2010 by iconreader

And so icons are called “holy”, to distinguish them from other images that portray earthly things, or else those images which portray fantastical, unreal things. Holy Icons, by contrast, depict eternity: something which is neither completely earthly, nor unreal. But in practical terms, what is it that sets an “Icon” apart from a mere “image”? Continue reading →

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The Iconographer’s Prayer

Posted on July 7, 2010 by iconreader

“O Divine Lord of all that exists, You have illumined the Apostle and Evangelist Luke with Your Most Holy Spirit, thereby enabling him to represent the most Holy Mother, the one who held You in her arms and said: ‘the Grace of Him Who has been born of me is spread throughout the world.’ Continue reading →

Posted in History, Iconography | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Icons of the Mother of God

Posted on July 7, 2010 by iconreader

The tradition of the Orthodox Church maintains that the first iconographer was the evangelist Luke, and that the first icon he painted under divine inspiration was of the Mother of God holding the Christ-child. Just like the icon of Christ Pantokrator, icons of the Son of God with His Mother are powerful testimonies to the reality of God’s incarnation as a human. Continue reading →

Posted in Icons of Christ, The Theotokos | Tagged , , , | 30 Comments

Jesus Christ | The Icon of God

Posted on July 5, 2010 by iconreader

It is only fitting that the first icon explored here is of Jesus Christ – Who is Himself the image of the invisible God. Because God took on human flesh and became visible, we can depict Him; indeed, to portray Christ is to strongly affirm that God did really become a man, and that Jesus Christ is not mere allegory or myth. Continue reading →

Posted in Icons of Christ | Tagged , | 13 Comments