What Does Holy Icons Mean

👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾What Does “#Holy #Icons” Mean? (Part 8) Dear followers of the Orthodox teachings, we greet you with the peace of God. Today, we explore the sacred meaning of Holy Icons, a teaching entrusted to all who seek to understand the mysteries of faith. Definition of Holy Icons ✍🏾The term “Holy’ Icons” is a combination of two words: “Holy” and “Icons.” ✍🏾Holy refers to the sacred and special. ✍🏾Icons are a language of communication, speaking to the eyes and inspiring the heart. ✍🏾Thus, Holy Icons are not mere images. They are a divine language through which we communicate with the Holy One, God Himself, who is unique in all creation. What sets Holy Icons apart from worldly images is that God speaks to us through them, revealing His presence and making His voice heard. Origin of Holy Icons ✍🏾The drawing of holy icons did not arise from human desire alone. It is commanded by God. When God instructed Moses to make the Ark of the Covenant, He also commanded the depiction of icons: 👉🏾“You shall make two cherubim of gold on the two sides of the mercy seat… I will meet with you and speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim.” (Exodus 25:18-22) Thus, the first holy icons were not for decoration but for divine encounter. ✍🏾Later, Moses and Solomon the Wise followed God’s command in the construction of the temple: 👉🏾“And the cherubim shall be above them, as the skilled worker makes the work of the tabernacle… he overlaid its doors with gold, and carved cherubim on its walls.” (Exodus 26:1; 2 Chronicles 3:7) ✍🏾These passages show that icons were created by God’s command, not by human whim. Consequently, icons continued in the New Testament and are still created today, honoring God and His saints. Holy Iconss in the New Testament 👉🏾In the New Testament, holy icons preserved memory and devotion: 👉🏾Tiberius Caesar received an icon of our Lord crucified to remember His love for mankind. 👉🏾The king of Edessa, Abgar Uqama, was healed by an icon of our Lord. 👉🏾Saint Luke painted an icon of the Holy Virgin Mary. These examples demonstrate that holy icons are not only commemorative but also channels of God’s grace. Early Christian Use and Canon ✍🏾Early Christians, persecuted by Roman emperors, painted their faith in caves and secret places as testimony to God’s power. By the 8th century, conflicts arose between iconoclasts, who opposed icons, and the defenders of holy icons. ✍🏾In 784 AD, a council established the canon of icons, affirming their honor and worship while prohibiting sculptures. ✍🏾Since the Old Testament, various sacred images crosses, flowers, pomegranates, fig trees, angels, and more have been drawn in unity, either openly or secretly, to convey holiness and spiritual teaching. ✍🏾The first person who use palm in painting was Solomon the Wise (2 Chronicles 3). These figures were used to distinguish one image from another, to highlight the dignity and significance of each, and to organize them according to day, time, chapter, or title. Such usage is frequently seen in manuscripts and sacred books Conclusion Holy Icons are far more than art; they are a divine language through which God communicates His presence, grace, and love. From the cherubim on the Ark to the images of Christ and the Holy Virgin, icons guide the faithful in prayer, worship, and remembrance of God’s wondrous works. They are sacred mirrors reflecting the glory of God and His saints, inviting us to encounter the divine with our eyes and hearts. part 9 Continues ... May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always. May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us. Amen. © John's Repentance Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends:https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance