What Do You Do With An Icon?
In 325 CE a council of bishops was convened in Nicaea at which it was decided that, since Jesus had both a human and a divine nature, so inextricably intertwined that they could not be separated, looking at the face of Jesus was equivalent to looking at the face of God. St. Paul, in his epistle to the Christian community in Colossae, wrote “Christ is the image of the invisible God”. Thus the council decided that representing the human face of Jesus was deemed permissible and the veneration of icons was officially approved by the Church.
Icons and the people depicted in them are meant to be venerated, but not worshiped or adored. The icons in the chapel are there to be picked up, taken back to your seat and used as an aid in your prayer life. It’s a good idea to pick up a prayer card associated with the icon and read the description about that icon then spend some time looking at the icon and finding what is described on the prayer card.
Icons are sometimes described as “Windows into Heaven.” A good window is clean allowing you to see through it in both directions. If you are making eye contact with a holy person depicted in the icon it’s thought the subject is also confronting you. In the very personal space between the person of faith and the icon, an exchange happens. One sees the image but also is seen. What a priceless opportunity to say a prayer.
Using icons to enhance your prayer life is not for everyone, but the more you use them the more benefits realize and you begin to look forward to spending time with your favorite icons.
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