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Page 2 of 5 When we look at an icon, we are seeing an image of some attribute of God, either as Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. We are seeing an image of holiness in the depiction of the saints. We are seeing an image of Christ’s love for us in scenes from His life. We are looking at some aspect of the mystery of God. And, as we experience the waiting of Advent, we wait for God to reveal Himself through the icon. But first, let’s start with some definitions. An icon is not an image on a computer screen. An icon is not a movie star or sports figure. An icon is not a popular restaurant. An icon is an image of Christ, the Saints, angels, important Biblical events, parables, or events in the history of the Church. Icon means “image,” as in the name Veronica, which means “true image.” Icons are visual scripture. Their history is long, from the early days of the church, and they were originally used as teaching tools for a generally illiterate society, in the same way that medieval stained glass was used for teaching.
Those who pray with icons are seeking the face of God, and what better way to do that than by gazing at icons, reading icons, and listening to icons. Although icons are most commonly found as religious images in art, they are also present in scripture and in sacred music. Best-selling author Madeline L’Engle has a very broad definition of icons. She says they can be anything that draws our thoughts to God. This could be wonderful sharing times with family and friends, experiences of the power and beauty of nature, even a mundane task done with reverence. Have you ever just sat with a friend and felt holiness around you? Or sensed God’s presence in the woods or at the beach? Of course you have. These times have been icons for you. I believe that music can certainly perform this function, and the word of God has always been used this way.
I want to start with icons in art, as these are the most obvious and familiar forms of icons, and I want to respond to some questions that Protestant Christians often ask.
Do people pray to icons? The answer is, and should be, no. Christians pray with icons, in the presence of icons, but not to icons. Christians are very mindful of God’s command, “Thou shall have no other gods before me” or “Make unto thyself no graven image,” And it’s hard to forget the Israelites’ problem with the golden calf, isn’t it?
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