When Christianity was persecuted by invasions of non Christians in Eastern Europe, Southern Europe and the Middle East, people were not allowed to have books and religious education. All icons can convey a blessing all icons teach and inspire faith. We call such icons miraculous, although the miracle derives from the Lord and the faith of the person.Miraculous icons are found all over the Orthodox world. Even touching an inanimate object that is connected to Christ is enough for our faith to invite the grace of God. The same has happened to thousands of persons who have also been blessed, cured and graced by icons in their lives. The woman, who suffered from a flow of blood, touched his garments and became well. In the Bible, even the Lord’s garments became a vessel for miracles and salvation. An infant cannot read the Bible but every person can recognize Christ and establish a connection with the Lord through His image. The Fathers of the Church called icons “the Bible of the illiterate.” They speak to all of us in a personal and profound way. The Church is the Body of Christ, we are the members, connected and celebrating the gifts of His grace as one union in the Lord.There are also icons that portray images from the Bible or the life of the Church. Praying for each other and with each other makes all of us one worshiping community in Christ. The Church is united, whether members of the Church are in Heaven (Church Triumphant) or on earth (Church Militant). Therefore, we may as well ask for the prayers of the Saints who are saved in Heaven. They are people like us they are not in Heaven, and yet, we ask for their prayers. However, one deed does not cancel the other we ask friends and family to pray for us in time of need. Some people wonder, why implore a Saint to pray for us and not pray directly to Christ. Saints pray for us and intercede for our salvation. We always cherish and honor a picture of a loved one or someone who passed away we exhibit even more honor and prestige towards the sacred images of the Lord, the Incarnate Word of God and Savior Jesus Christ.There are also icons of Saints which are commonly used in the Orthodox Church. Icons are to be venerated, since the image of the icon is sacred. Icons are not to be worshiped, which was a pagan custom reserved for statues and images of pagan pseudo-divinities. Other iconographers followed his example. Saint Luke painted an icon of Christ, the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Baptist. Before the Bible was written, icons of the Lord and the Saints were already in use by the first Christians. Patrick became the first bishop of Ireland.Byzantine Iconography is the Art of portraying sacred images for the purpose of prayer, religious education and spiritual uplifting. Ancient examples of the Celtic cross can also be found in Scotland and in western France. Patrick in the 5 th century when he was preaching Christianity to sun-worshippers in Ireland. This led to his conversion to Christianity and to him eventually calling the First Council of Nicea in 325, where the Nicene Creed was written.Ĭeltic Cross- This unique cross is thought to have been used by St. Constantine the Great had a vision of the cross in the sky as he was going into battle in York (modern day England) in 306. “NIKA” is Greek for “conquers” or “is victorious” (also used by “NIKE” sports apparel). NIKA Cross- The Greek letters at the top of this cross are “IC XC” which are the first and last letters of “Jesus Christ” in Greek. Paul wrote one of his epistles, was also the site of a Great Council in 431, where Mary was proclaimed “Theotokos” which means “Birth-Giver of God”. Ephesus, one of the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation, and to whom St. Ephesus Cross- While examples of this style cross can be found around the Mediterranean, it is frequently seen on ancient stone carvings in the ruins of Ephesus, now in modern-day Turkey.
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