|
B
y z a n t i n e I c o n o g r a p h y
continues to serve as a visual, symbolic and tangible
vehicle to Christian understanding, today as it did, nearly 2,000
years ago.
Byzantine
Iconography is Greek by heritage. It dates back to the very first
depictions of Christianity when the faithful relied on the illustrated
Logos (the Word of God or Bible prior to the process of printing).
Iconography, also known has hagiography, served as a means of education,
enlightenment and inspiration. Many Christians today have returned
to this vehicle of learning and inspiration in a response of contrast
to their
contemporary, media-driven world.
Iconographers
were the earliest scribes of The Word. Holy
Icons were never
"graven" images, nor were they idols. They were never
considered portraits or realistic paintings of people or
events. Rather,
Holy Icons were
(and still are today) rendered as two-dimensional scribing and are not merely
painted, but truly "written" in a visual and symbolic
theological language.
|
 |
H O L Y I C O N S A S S I S T I N...
...VENERATING
the wisdom taught by the Bible
and Holy writings.
...COMMEMORATING
baptisms, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries,
celebrations,
namesakes
(or patron saints) and feast days.
...ENCOURAGING
prayer, discipline, personal and spiritual growth,
fortitude and healing.
...INSPIRING
devotion, understanding and reverence.
...ILLUMINING
and ENLIGHTENING
home, church or office.
"[The
arts of the Church] are also called Liturgical arts because
through
them, man tastes the essence of the Liturgy by which
God
is worshipped and through which man becomes like unto the Heavenly Hosts
and
perceives immortal life." ~ Photios Kontoglou
|
