Icons

An icon is more than just a picture. It is a representation of God. Invisible is present. Icon brings us closer to heaven. Inspiration. Function in prayer; in the service. There is a presence in the church. In home, place that reminds people of the presence of God and helps people to connect. 

Adoration- to God

Veneration- to the icon; should not adore

Icon shouldn't be someone that is alive.  

Icons became more important in the 3rd and 4th century. 

Choice of icons in Taize

-represents beauty

-make a beautiful place to pray

-represents the orthodox traditions

-left- Virgin Mary

-centre- cross

-right- resurrection

-friendship- in entrance way

-Jesus and Egypt saint- 

-transfiguration 

Jesus - half circle around head, shows light and "holy"

- big eyes for seeing

-small mouth represents silence 

-stronge neck represents the Holy Spirit or the breath of life 

Clothes 

-red- divine

-blue- humanity 

-gold- sent by God; sent to serve humanity 

-on hand for teaching; one hand for reading

-Jesus is both God and human; there is a prohibition in the old testament not to recreate the invisible God; therefore we can have icons of Jesus

-back ground colour represents the Fathers presence

Three angels- painted in the 15th century, in Moscow 

-hospitality of Abraham (genesis 18)

-tree

-tent- house of the Father

-cup with animal head in it 

-makes us think of the holy trinity

-circle- unity of the divine 

-angel on the left, clothes of different colours, represents the shining light or God the Father

-rectangle in the table that represents the hole that holds saints remains

-2nd cup with angel in the middle- represents Jesus

-angel on the right- represents the Holy Ghost 

-front of the table is empty, like an invitation to us to join them