History of Icons

Ignatius21

Can somebody please pass the incense?
May 21, 2009
2,237
321
Dayton, OH
✟22,008.00
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
I'm kind of bummed that this thread more or less "up and died."

I've always seen threads like these derail and then end, when the topic is brought back to an examination of the underlying assumptions behind someone's biblical interpretations.
 
Upvote 0

Sakuramochi

Newbie
Feb 4, 2015
6
0
United Kingdom
✟7,616.00
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Single
From all I've read--and I ain't no expert!--I think you've fairly well nailed it. I would agree, it's at least reasonable, to trace the practices of venerating icons, back to the veneration of relics of saints. Evidence is sparse about exactly how images were used in the early years. But it's abundant that they held vigils and liturgies at the graves of martyrs, collected their personal effects, etc. Your quote of Polycarp is illustrative.

Thanks for chiming in :)

No prob, anytime ;)
 
Upvote 0

buzuxi02

Veteran
May 14, 2006
8,608
2,513
New York
✟212,454.00
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
This is quite true. The origins for praying to the saints and venerating icons is from the martyrs. The placing of relics into the altar is vaguely referenced to in Revelation 6.9 The first mention of an artifact coming from the body of a saint with healing properties is that of handkerchiefs of Paul found in Acts 19.12.

By the second century drawings appear in the catacombs. The first mention of a miraculous icon is in the Doctrine of Addai in 400AD. It is about the image of Edessa.
 
Upvote 0

JM

Coram Deo.
Supporter
Jun 26, 2004
17,328
3,602
Canada
✟735,628.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Others
Last Friday I talked with a Russian Orthodox priest who embodied the meaning of being a follower of Christ and feel thoroughly rebuked. I was seeking a place to pray and, as I’m sure you know it was Bright Week, came to a Russian Orthodox church just in time for the Divine Liturgy. After the service the priest introduced himself to me and we talked. I hope to continue dialoguing with him via email.

I just wanted to apologize to everyone for being so aggressive and abrasive in our exchanges.

Yours in the Lord,

jm
 
  • Like
Reactions: ~Anastasia~
Upvote 0

ArmyMatt

Regular Member
Supporter
Jan 26, 2007
41,466
20,023
41
Earth
✟1,452,898.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
it happens brother, to all of us. forgive me as well for any aggressive/stubborn/etc responses I may have had.

great news you are talking to him. you should keep us in the loop how it goes!

Christ is risen!
 
  • Like
Reactions: JM
Upvote 0

JeremiahsBulldog

Careful, he bites!
Nov 10, 2007
42
18
✟22,632.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Private
At the end of my posts #114 and #115, I promised to write about icons in the New Testament. Sorry about the long delay. Here is the short answer:

Mt 22:15 -22 ; Mk 12: 13 - 17; and Lu 20: 20 - 26. In these passages, Christ responds to a question about taxes by asking who's image and inscription is on the money. The last part of His reply implies a distinction between sacred and secular images.

St. John of Damascus argued that this was Christ giving His approval to icons.

PS

My "Jeremiahsbulldog" profile was recently deleted for some reason. Hence, I had to return to my older "theophilite" profile.

More details in my signature, below.
 
Upvote 0

JM

Coram Deo.
Supporter
Jun 26, 2004
17,328
3,602
Canada
✟735,628.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Others
At the end of my posts #114 and #115, I promised to write about icons in the New Testament. Sorry about the long delay. Here is the short answer:

Mt 22:15 -22 ; Mk 12: 13 - 17; and Lu 20: 20 - 26. In these passages, Christ responds to a question about taxes by asking who's image and inscription is on the money. The last part of His reply implies a distinction between sacred and secular images.

St. John of Damascus argued that this was Christ giving His approval to icons.

PS

My "Jeremiahsbulldog" profile was recently deleted for some reason. Hence, I had to return to my older "theophilite" profile.

More details in my signature, below.

Thank you. Would you have a link to the work of John of Damascus? I'm interested in how he viewed the passages you sited above.

Yours in the Lord,

jm
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

tapi

Regular Member
Apr 19, 2010
1,497
498
Stockholm
✟147,794.00
Country
Sweden
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Private
  • Like
Reactions: JM
Upvote 0

JeremiahsBulldog

Careful, he bites!
Nov 10, 2007
42
18
✟22,632.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Private
Upvote 0
Dec 16, 2011
5,208
2,548
57
Home
Visit site
✟234,667.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
I'm curious, JM, about your spiritual reaction to the icon that I've chosen to be my CF avatar.

upload_2017-1-6_20-25-39.png
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

JM

Coram Deo.
Supporter
Jun 26, 2004
17,328
3,602
Canada
✟735,628.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Others
I'm curious, JM, about your spiritual reaction to the icon that I've chosen to be my CF avatar.

View attachment 187879

The first reaction is that icons are beautiful! I still own icons and they hang on the wall in my study, however, I also am quickly reminded that if used in a religious sense they will quickly become idols.

Yours in the Lord,

jm
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums
Dec 16, 2011
5,208
2,548
57
Home
Visit site
✟234,667.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
The first reaction is that icons are beautiful! I still own icons and they hang on the wall in my study, however, I also am quickly reminded that if used in a religious sense they will quickly become idols.

Yours in the Lord,

jm
Used in a religious sense... Do you consider using the fragrant oil that miraculously streams from this particular icon (the miraculous myrrh streaming icon of Iveron) for the purpose of anointing believers for potential healing of diseases to be "using the icon in a religious sense"? When a person who is anointed with the oil from the icon is healed of a serious, incurable disease, is it considered religious use if we give glory to God on account of it? Or is this idolatry?
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0