So many comments here unfortunately reflect reflexive, rote thinking spread in stark, low-church Protestantism for hundreds of years instead of real consideration of what the metropolitan so eloquently explains. Icons are windows to heaven, aids to prayer. They are no more "idols" than a picture of one's children is, propped up on a desk. I see the picture and am reminded to pray for those I love. In the case of the holy icons, I add veneration (NOT worship) to my reminder, for the icons depict those far mightier in the faith than we are-- martyrs, ascetics, apostles, and prophets, who finished the race well. Most of all, our Lord, who took flesh among us and therefore may be depicted. May all be blessed by the holy icons! What do you have to lose?
But that's exactly what idols are; they're doorways to the holy gods. And there is no difference between veneration and worship. That is an artificial division created by you silly monotheists.
people commenting below are quoting Leviticus- old testament. which died and rose to life in Jesus in the New testament. rules changed in New Testament. And Paul is saying not to worship God as an Image. no issue with using Icons as a Doorway- makes perfect sense ! if you don't relate go your way, nobody is forcing you to be Greek Orthodox.
The invisible Father yes I agree, But Jesus Christ is visible and He has been seen by many faithful people, thats why we make His icons and we bow before them, because they are the Icons of the Lord not just Icons, nor we try to represent God Father with any immage, because He has none and it is forbidden to do so in Orthodoxy as well. On the other Hand the Holy Spirit appeared in many forms inside the New Testament, Like a pidgeon like a Cloud, Tongues of Flame etc etc thus He is represented as such.
I don't agree that icons are "doorways to heaven". They are windows to heaven. There's a big difference.Just gazing at an icon won't make anybody holy. That requires effort: prayer, confession, etc. What about hesychasm and the lifelong dedication to God of monks, sir? Kalistose Ware is an ecumenist, on a par with Patriarch Bartholomew, and as such invites heretical "confessions" to be equal to Orthodoxy, the One true Church.No wonder he promotes a "doorway to heaven" without effort.
@@Razamaniac sorry. You said we represent beings like Jesus, the Holy Spirit or angels on icons because they've made a physical appearance. But we don't represent God the Father on images because He 'has none'. Firat thought I had is that Daniel did see in a vision God the Father as a man with white hair sitting on a throne. You don't think that would count as an appearance? Also, Jesus is said to be the image of the Father. In that case, God the Father does have an image. Would you mind clarifying your comment? I am trying to understand why exactly the orthodox don't depict the Father on icons. Thanks
The arch of the covenant had angels on it, and it was part of worship of God in the old testament. The tradition of man, is the one, that DOES NOT understand that God wants us to worship him with our eye's and with our faith. These men, look at the image of the invisible God, and say "these icons are religion, let me go look at non-religious images."Christianity is not a tradition of man, it is the tradition of the Son of Man.
We are all sinners. Judge not lest you be judged. Remove the log from your own eye brothers and sisters. Unless you are all completely perfect I suggest none of you speak a word unless you are foolish. May you all find peace. Blessings. Criticizing how others practice to worship God in the environment they choose is not anyone's place. Last time I checked none of you are God? Please be respectful and humble to those who are different than yourself, those who truly have good spiritual practice are peaceful. They don't go around fighting and debating words and thoughts with everyone. If you do not know peace, you do not know love and if you do not know love then you do not know God. :) Watch the words you speak. Are they loving from your soul? Or are they conceptualized rhetoric from your brain? Knowledge , philosophy and semantics does not know the spirit of God only the soul self does. Be kind. Judgment is for God not you. I suggest your humble silences.
Treez Beez While I agree with the totality of your comment...did it not take some measure of judgment to say what it is that you've said? i.e: the judgment of judgment. I believe if the judgment is based upon scripture (along with the council's) and it's accompanied with a contrite and well intended heart...there's nothing wrong with it. Just a suggestion. 😁 Double standards and hypocrisy is actually the context of the verse where Christ says "judge not lest ye be judged". Soooooo, me right along with you should be careful. May Christ saturate you to the fullest extent of reality.
So when a Mormon tells me that Jesus was not born of a virgin but He is Lucifer’s brother.........should I not judge there understanding of the Holy Scripture as to help them?
Are you familiar with Numbers 21: 8-9, Exodus 25: 18-20, 1 Kings 6: 23-35 and 2 Chronicles 9: 17-19. The last one is particularly important since it can't be explained away by a possible divine suspension of the law since Solomon had the lions built of his own accord. Thus ancient Judaism beyond a shadow of a doubt did not interpret these verses to mean a complete ban on artistry and much less religious artistry.
Our senses, sight, hearing and sense of smell are gifts from God. In turn we Orthodox use all of them for the glory of God. Christ became human and took on a form. He was seen, touched and worshiped by the people around him. God uses various holy objects for healing such as crosses, oil and holy water and icons. In Acts 5:15-16 we read that the people brought out their sick so that even Peter's the shadow might fall on them and heal them. Acts 19:12 "When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled." There are countless accounts of people being healed by Christ jus by touching holy objects crosses, bibles and relics of saints and icons. But it seems your modern Protestant sects call these miracles of God idolatry.
May I also suggest that consistency would beckon you to throw away all pictures, paintings, sculptures, televisions and any other devices which display images.
@@Jy3pr6 Greeks brought the Trinity given to their pagans to the pagans in Rome. It's a tradition that goes back to Egypt and Babylon. The Romans killed off most Christians before they paganized Christianity by the edge of the sword throughout their empire. It's nothing that Jesus didn't give in prophecy during his ministry.
There's a difference between veneration (honor) and worship. We honor the saints, but if you ever attend an Orthodox service, you will see we worship God alone. The councils were guided by the Holy Spirit. The Seventh Ecumenical Council defended the use of icons. Read An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, by Saint John of Damascus. Your heresy will separate you from God. Stop believing the lies from heretics. They have no authority.
These icons are very alluring and all but i wonder why, when Jesus warned against the traditions of men, would we then add to his teaching with these paintings? Jesus didn't honor paintings or use icons to commune with God..Why risk going against God? Do we not fear him enough to listen?
Dani8132m Before written Scriptures were available to the common people, Icons of Events and the Savior were used as teaching tools. Even today, we teach our grandson the main events of Christ's life, Passion and Resurrection through these holy icons. Great care is taken in their "writing", just as we would not add to the words of Holy Scriptures, we are very careful to follow exact forms so as not to distort the meanings. I have experienced a holy "meeting" with the person represented by an icon while walking through my home church, and so Heaven is very much "here" with us for healing and comfort in prayer and the intercessions of His Mother, the saints - friends of the Lord - and His great Mercy always toward us!
+Dani8132m just take a look at a early jewish synagogue. www.google.com/search?q=icons+in+early+synagogue&tbm=isch&imgil=U67s0QPkA7O-KM%253A%253BvBtKmInwEhZsZM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Ftheorthodoxlife.wordpress.com%25252F2011%25252F11%25252F11%25252Fancient-jewish-icons%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=U67s0QPkA7O-KM%253A%252CvBtKmInwEhZsZM%252C_&usg=__2RdnoZ7Fsivl4anI6DDpXb0tO70%3D&biw=1600&bih=763&ved=0ahUKEwiGxd_jjoDMAhVFPj4KHT1EBvMQyjcIMA&ei=EDQIV4b9OsX8-AG9iJmYDw#imgrc=U67s0QPkA7O-KM%3A
***** where actually you ever heard about gatewayz to God ? *I wonder if they are in fact demons appearing to people masquerading as "agents of light"* there are many simple ways to test the person you see, if you searched more you could find how the art of econography is part of the original church that the bishops of the apocalypse belong to. When you use magickal rituals yes its necromancy, when a saint communicates with you freely with only a prayer to God, or even him dirrectly its a bless, if you knew how to properly ''make your cross'' and how to test the spirits as Lord Himself said you shouldn't be troubled at all
