Religious Icons have been under debate in the Christian church going back to the early middle Ages for a variety of reasons. What is not in debate now is the fact the icons have carved out an important place the religion and continue to serve a function which is vital to Christianity, especially in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

1. ICONSICONS
How icons communicate withHow icons communicate with
the viewer and take on athe viewer and take on a
dualistic role in religiondualistic role in religion
Sharon M. Fitzgerald, MASharon M. Fitzgerald, MA

2. Religious Icons have been under debate in the Christian church going
back to the early middle Ages for a variety of reasons. What is not
in debate now is the fact the icons have carved out an important
place the religion and continue to serve a function which is vital to
Christianity, especially in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
One of the reasons they have been important is they are dualistic, and
provide a two-way communication. In a sense, they are conduits
to communicate with God as they both send and receive prayers
and messages. Some of these functions can be seen the functions
of icons in the liturgy, the Templon screen and the private and
public needs of the emerging Christian communities. In addition,
icons continue to communicate and send messages to the viewer
today through various alleged miraculous sightings and events.

3. Why Images? Who used them and why?Why Images? Who used them and why?
• In the early Medieval times the
need to touch the Devine was
answered by the cult of the saints,
whose relics-then icons –suited the
purpose.
• Icons were used in the home where
the domestic patron saint were
utilized to ward off every kind of
danger.
• Their presence was also needed to
allow people to address vows or
thanks to a visible intercessor by
placing flowers, candles or incense
before it. Outside of the saint’s
grave, the image was the vehicle in
which to continue communications.
• It is interesting to note, the images
met the same demands that were
made on the saint when they were
alive: to perform miracles and
answer prayers.
• Icons were basically given roles to
play in society. They were not
merely objects of religious
contemplation. They were used for
very tangible purposes, to ward off
evil to healing and the defense of
the realm.
• In many cases, local saints were
credited with more power then the
local authority and this fueled the
fire for Iconoclasm.

4. Definition, form and function of IconsDefinition, form and function of Icons
Virgin Eleousa
Early 14 century Byzantine
• Icons (from the Greek eikones) are
sacred images representing saints,
Christ, and the Virgin, as well as
narrative scenes such as Christ's
Crucifixion. While today the term is
most closely associated with wooden
panel painting in icons could be crafted
in all media, including marble, ivory,
gemstone, precious metal, enamel, and
mosaic.
Form and Function of Icons
• Icons ranged in size from the miniature
to the monumental. Some were
suspended around the neck as pendants,
others called triptychs had panels on
each side that could be closed for safe
transport. Large panel paintings were
mounted on a pole or frame and carried
into battle. In Byzantine theology, icons
allowed the viewer direct
communication with the sacred figure’s
represented and, through icons, an
individual's mages prayers were
addressed directly to the petitioned
saint. Miraculous healings and good
fortune were among the requests.

5. The Icons function in the liturgyThe Icons function in the liturgy
• The term liturgy refers to the
rites and ceremonies prescribed
by the Church for communal
worship. The central focus of
the liturgy is the Eucharist, in
which Christians take
consecrated wine and bread in
commemoration of the Last
Supper and Christ's death.
• While liturgical practices
developed over several
centuries and varied locally, the
use of icons and liturgical
objects such as the chalice
remained indispensable and
often richly decorated

6. The Icons usage in the Templon ScreenThe Icons usage in the Templon Screen
• Another way in which the icon was
utilized during the liturgy was on
the Templon screen which
physically separates the naïve from
the sanctuary in Orthodox
churches. This separation also
existed in Catholic churches until
the Vatican changed it in the early
1960’s.
• With the icons placement on the
screens, this meant they were the
primary focus for the practitioners
during the mass. By doing this the
icons again took on a vital role and
central to the ritual of the mass.

7. ~ Icon from Sinai ~~ Icon from Sinai ~
St. John the Baptist with Scenes from His LifeSt. John the Baptist with Scenes from His Life
• We explored what icons are and who
used them, now it’s time to examine
how icons speak to the viewer.
• This icon has several special messages
for the viewer: Inscribed starting on top
left: “…I beg you (says St. John) preserve
those in life, who reverence my
venerable icon”.
• And the epigram introduces those who
venerate this icon into John’s prayer. In
doing, the text call attention to the cult
paid to this icon, identifying such cult
practice as being beneficial to those who
participate in it. Their eyewitness is
thus accorded a value akin to John’s
own.
• In another words, this icon both blesses
the viewer (even in 2014) and
compliments their devotion!

8. ~Icon from Sinai~~Icon from Sinai~
Mosaic Icon of the Virgin HodegetriaMosaic Icon of the Virgin Hodegetria
• This icon communicates some
foreboding information to the
viewer. Three elements that stand
out:
• Christ is barefoot and by showing
his feet we are to remember the
impending crucifixion.
• The unusual blessing gesture
(thumb to ring finger instead of last
two digits)
• And finally, the psychological
exchange between the two- she is
not looking at us and his blessing
hand is turned away from the
viewer towards his mother as if he
acknowledges the infinite
magnitude of his mother’s future
suffering.

9. Icons communicating in the flesh?Icons communicating in the flesh?
• Virgin of Damascus, Syria • Weeping Virgin

10. Icons communicate beyond the grave?Icons communicate beyond the grave?
• Lady of Fatima, France • Weeping mrrye

11. Icons continue to be an important componentIcons continue to be an important component
of faithof faith
• St. Righteous Anna at Russian
Orthodox church in Philly, PA
• Virgin Mary from Bangladeshi

12. Icons are here to stayIcons are here to stay
• Virgin of Musetesti,
Romania
• The usage and continued existence
of the Icon has been a source of
debate since 726AD.
• Within both the private and public
space, the Icon has carved out a
place and function in religion to a
degree that is amazing.
• Icons have always played a dualistic
role: whereas they are vehicles to
reach the Devine as well as
receivers of messages fromthe
Devine.
• Icons communicate through the
Liturgy, text and depending on your
belief system, in the flesh.
• Anyway you look at it, Icons are
here to stay.

13. SourcesSources
• Holy Image, Hallowed Ground: Icons from Sinai
Getty Publications, Los Angeles, CA 2006
• Likeness and Presence, a history of the Image before the Era of Art
Hans Belting, University of Chicago Press 1994
• Hidden Symbols in Art
Sarah Carr-Gomm, Duncan Baird Publishers 2001
• Brooks, Sarah. Icons and Iconoclasm in Byzantium. In Timeline of Art
History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–.
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/icon/hd_icon.htm (October
2001)