Icons (Jesus, Earth, tradition, incarnation, experience)

[No*s]

I assume most Orthodox on this list are converts. I know Joannicius and I are, but since we're the only regular posters, I can't know .

How is it that you got accustomed to it if you were raised in an iconoclastic tradition?

For my part, I was about as iconoclastic as it came. I did, however, begin to think about it. First, I noticed that the veneration of images was practiced in the Old Testament. Next, I began to think about Christ: His Incarnation is an icon. Those things changed my view of it from "this is a horrible affront to God" to "It's an optional part of Christianity."

After encountering Orthodoxy, I read the arguments about how it safegaurds the value of matter and jumped right in. The only way I knew to make myself comfortable was to do it .

[Joannicius]

This one didn't give me near the questions that Maryology did. I was Iconoclastic but had flexibility in this area because I saw all the Christians in my family had a "portrait" or similitude of Jesus on their wall or somewhere visible in their house which always made a question in my mind as to what was idolatry.

Good thread, I hope the others answer as I am interested in their experiences also. I think this would be a good subject for the Christian or maybe the debate?

Christians who question the use of icons should study the history of the Old Testament without bias and see the Cherubims over the altar and the brass serpent on the pole in the wilderness and ask themselves why that wasn't idolatry.

[No*s]

That would be a good study, indeed .

I didn't have much problem with Mary or the Saints. The logic regarding no separation in death when presented to me by a Roman Catholic made perfect sense.

[Joannicius]

Originally Posted by No*s

That would be a good study, indeed .

I didn't have much problem with Mary or the Saints. The logic regarding no separation in death when presented to me by a Roman Catholic made perfect sense.

The unity of heaven and earth wasn't the problem, it was the veneration and the authority attributed her that I had to grasp. I think the story of her request to her son at the wedding feast helped me a lot. She knew then what I'm sure we have yet to understand to that measure.

[No*s]

Originally Posted by Joannicius

The unity of heaven and earth wasn't the problem, it was the veneration and the authority attributed her that I had to grasp. I think the story of her request to her son at the wedding feast helped me a lot. She knew then what I'm sure we have yet to understand to that measure.

It was precisely that unity that did it for me. The dead were conscious and death had no power over them. As such, they could pray for me like anyone else .

[Joannicius]

We definitely have a beautiful "package" to live in with a goal that is unfathomable - Theosis.

[Matrona]

For me, it wasn't really so much the icons themselves as it was bowing to them and kissing them. I found that, for me, I started appreciating icons more once I appreciated the people in them, which I hadn't at first.

[Linus7]

I didn't have that much trouble with icons. I had more trouble with prayer to the saints. I must admit, I still don't have a real devotion to any of the saints, although I do ask the Blessed Mother of God for her intercession almost daily.

I think I realized early that even the name J-E-S-U-S is an icon. It is not Jesus Himself.

I know that I don't worship the wood and paint of an icon when I kiss it out of respect for the person portrayed thereon.

[Joannicius]

Originally Posted by Linus7

I didn't have that much trouble with icons. I had more trouble with prayer to the saints. I must admit, I still don't have a real devotion to any of the saints, although I do ask the Blessed Mother of God for her intercession almost daily.

I think I realized early that even the name J-E-S-U-S is an icon. It is not Jesus Himself.

I know that I don't worship the wood and paint of an icon when I kiss it out of respect for the person portrayed thereon.

Originally Posted by Matrona

For me, it wasn't really so much the icons themselves as it was bowing to them and kissing them. I found that, for me, I started appreciating icons more once I appreciated the people in them, which I hadn't at first..

It's a love relationship that is developed over time.

The Church Militant (We on earth) getting to know and appreciate The Church Victorious (The Ones with Our Lord)

[Matrona]

Originally Posted by Linus7

I didn't have that much trouble with icons. I had more trouble with prayer to the saints. I must admit, I still don't have a real devotion to any of the saints, although I do ask the Blessed Mother of God for her intercession almost daily.

I haven't had trouble with the idea of praying to saints, but incorporating it has been difficult. I wish the prayer books would include prayers to the saints. I always feel like I don't know what to say when trying to ask for a saint's intercession. "St. Nektarios, please, um, help my friend Katie. She's sick. Um, thanks."

I also don't like the idea of asking particular saints for particular kinds of intercession. Who's to say the prayers of St. Athanasios wouldn't be just as good at protecting sailors as St. Nicholas of Myra?