Church Iconography
Interior Dome of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church (photo by Dreena Buyachek)
Church Iconography - What is Iconography?
"In former times God, who is without form or body, could never be depicted. But now when God is seen in the flesh conversing with humans, I make an image of the god whom I see. I do not worship matter: I worship the Creator of matter who became matter for my sake, who willed to take his abode in matter: who worked out my salvation through matter. Never will I cease honouring the matter which wrought my salvation! I honour it but not as God."
St. John of Damascus
(8th Century)
The English term icon, which means "likeness, image, or representation," comes from the Greek word eikon. Iconography is an art form of Christians normally associated with both (Byzantine) Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Rite Catholic Churches. It was thought to have originated in the first century A.D. in the catacombs of Rome. However the art form did not develop to the extent that it did as in the Eastern Roman Empire. Iconography by the end of the fifth century, in Syria, Egypt, and Asia Minor, completely supplanted that of the Catacombs. Because Iconography was a form of religious painting, the Iconographer was constrained to the legislation and doctrinal prescriptions of the church at that time. Although, the artist was confined by the church, he did have some freedom of expression. Guillaume Durand, the famous Bishop of Mende, in the 12th century wrote: "The various histories as well of the New as of the Old Testament are depicted according to the inclination of the painters. For to painters as to poets a license has ever been conceded to dare whatever they pleased." The influence of the artist's spirituality, creativity, and church doctrine all contributed to the distinctive character of Byzantine iconography. Icons are not intended to be an exact image, rather they are intended to portray spiritual qualities. Heads, eyes, and central characters are often over sized in order to enhance the spiritual image conveyed. Icons are of utmost importance in Byzantine churches and as an aspect of Byzantine spirituality. They have traditional locations within the church building and these patterns were well established by 843 A.D. Holy icons serve a number of other purposes in addition to enhancing the beauty of churches. They also instruct us in matters pertaining to our Christian faith, remind us of our faith, lift us up to the prototypes they symbolize, challenge us to imitate the virtues of those depicted on them, help to transform and sanctify us, and serve as a means of worship and veneration. Byzantine iconography is widely used in bothByzantine Eastern Orthodox Churches as well as the Byzantine Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church, both of which share a common ancestry.
Ven Muslim, and Christian, any kind of picture, statue, or representation of the human form is an abominable idol. This was a dividing belief during the history of the Catholic Church. Iconoclasm (Eikonoklasmos, "Image-breaking") is the name of the heresy that in the eighth and ninth centuries disturbed the peace of the Eastern Church. Icons were banned and destroyed, and those in possession were persecuted. Iconoclastic persecution, also extended to the Western Church. The earliest art forms are almost all lost because of iconoclasm, a reaction that became a heresy and which was finally defeated by the Seventh Ecumenical Council in Nicea in 787 A.D.. Icons are a celebration of the fact that Jesus Christ is indeed the Word made flesh (John 1:1-14). As the 7th Ecumenical Council proclaimed:
"Icons are in colors what the Scripture
are in words: witnesses to the Incarnation,
the fact that God has come among us
as a person whom we can see, touch
and hear, to offer us the new life
and begin the new creation."
The icon promotes a spiritual link between the human and divine. It bonds the material to the spiritual through the senses, provided one stands before the icon with the correct disposition of heart and mind.
A quote from St. Basil the Great:
"What the word transmits through the ear, the painting silently shows through the image, and by these two means, mutually accompanying one another... we receive knowledge of one and the same thing."
The Christian Faith is fully unfolded on the walls of Byzantine Church.
A quote from St. John of Damascus:
"If a pagan asks you to show him your faith, take him into church and place him before the icons."
Further Information on Iconography: