ST JOHN DAMASCENE.“I WORSHIP THE IMAGE OF CHRIST AS

THE INCARNATE GOD; THAT OF OUR LADY, THE MOTHER OF US ALL, AS THE MOTHER OF GOD'S SON; THAT OF THE

SAINTS AS THE FRIENDS OF GOD. THEY HAVE WITHSTOOD SIN UNTO BLOOD,

AND FOLLOWED CHRIST IN SHEDDING THEIR BLOOD FOR HIM, WHO SHED HIS

BLOOD FOR THEM.”

Iconography

What is the purpose of iconography?

Byzantine iconography is an example of art in the service of theology and the salvation of humankind which was seen to be surrounded by sin and destruction. Although dominated by theology, Byzantine art is a complex thing that looks for an absolute meaning and truth in life, a spiritual component and an educational tool.

What is the purpose of iconography?

Iconography is to be understood as being

the imagery that elevates and reveals

the truth.

How do Icons function in a church

.  Readings are done in front of them,  The icons are also interacted with physically through rituals such as the lighting of candles in front of them, the censing of them by priests, and the kissing, dressing, anointing and washing which form part of worshipers' and church officials' worship activities.  Worshipers circulate throughout the church to contact the various icons.Icons have renewed themselves. 

An Iconographer writing icons in a church

This is because the theology behind icons is closely tied to the Incarnational theology of the humanity and Divinity of Jesus, so that attacks on icons typically have the effect of undermining or attacking the Incarnation of Jesus himself as taught in the Ecumenical Councils.

Symbols

Almost everything within the image has a symbolic aspect. Christ, the saints, and the angels all have halos. Angels (and often John the Baptist) have wings because they are messengers.

Figures have consistent facial appearances, hold attributes personal to them, and use a few conventional poses.

Symbols

Letters are symbols too. Most icons incorporate some calligraphic

text naming the person or event depicted. Even this is often presented in a stylized manner.

The inscriptions naming the figure accompany each image so that there is no confusion.  Inscriptions are placed beside the head and are clearly legible.

 

Symbols

Symbols are often included to further identify figures.  Certain colors are associated with certain individuals, such as blue for Mary's robe.  Particular numbers, like twelve for the apostles, renders a group easily identifiable.  St Paul being the 12th apostle.

And objects associated with saints, called "attributes" help to make meaning clear; Saint Catherine's wheel, a symbol of her martyrdom, allows easy recognition

Style

Icons are usually presented in an abstract style--certain elements are pulled out and made obvious. 

The faces and bodies are rather flat and clearly separated by outlines.  If there is an attribute, or a particular facial feature or hairstyle, it will be emphasized and made prominent.         

      

Colours

Most frequently, the figures or scenes are set against a gold background, which serves to take the image out of any recognizable space and time, and at the same time intensifies the colors.  The golden glow is one of the preeminent impressions of the icon

colours

Gold represents the radiance of Heaven; red, divine life. Blue is the color of human life, white is the uncreated essence of God, only used for resurrection and transfiguration of Christ. If you look at icons of Jesus and Mary: Jesus wears red undergarment with a blue outer garment (God become Human) and Mary wears a blue undergarment with a red over garment (human was granted gifts by God), thus the doctrine of deification is conveyed by icons.

gesture

The fingers spell out “IC XC”, a widely used four letter abbreviation of the Greek for Jesus (IHCOYC) Christ (XPICTOC). It is by the name of Jesus that we are saved and receive blessings: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” (Phil 2:10).

The three fingers of Christ – as well as spelling out “I” and “X” – confess the Tri-unity of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The touching finger and thumb of Jesus not only spell out “C”, but attest to the Incarnation: to the joining of divine and human natures found in the body of Jesus Christ.

. Yet the “IC XC” Christogram is much more than this: it is both a sign and means of blessing. Christ raises His right hand and Christians receive the blessings of God. More than this, even if His servants, the Saints, holds their hands in the same way, we are assured of receiving the blessings of God, through the name of Jesus Christ

Theology and spirituality of the icon.

According to John of Damascus, anyone who tries to destroy icons "is the enemy of Christ, the Holy Mother of God and the saints, and is the defender of the Devil and his demons.“

The role of the icon in liturgy.Why are they important?

praying in front of an icon

Jesus prayer

Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner

"The Prayer goes back to the New Testament and has had a long, traditional use. The method of contemplation based upon the Holy Name is attributed to St. Simeon, called the New Theologian (949-1022). When he was 14 years old, St. Simeon had a vision of heavenly light in which he seemed to be separated from his body. Amazed, and overcome with an overpowering joy, he felt a consuming humility, and cried, borrowing the Publican's prayer (Luke 18:13), "Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me." Long after the vision had disappeared, the great joy returned to St. Simeon each time he repeated the prayer; and he taught his disciples to worship likewise. The prayer evolved into its expanded form: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner." In this guise it has come down to us frown generation to generation of pious monks and laymen.