Orthodox Sunday: Iconodules rejoice



(Photo by Andrew Stephen Damick)

If the iconoclasts had their way, Orthodox churches and homes would look a lot different. 

Gone would be the paintings, the panels, the carvings, the

embroideries, the mosaics, the prints, and numerous other

relatively-flat holy depictions (three-dimensional statues are generally considered by Orthodox Christians to be more idols than icons).  In their stead would be rather austere-looking places of worship. 

Why would stark surroundings be preferable to beautiful works of art?  Iconoclasts believe that the veneration of any holy image is against biblical teachings.  They cite Exodus 20:3-5 as forbidding the making, honoring and worshipping of graven images.  By no means is this view confined to Christian iconoclasm –  history is filled with multi-faith (and political) instances of iconodules being opposed by iconoclasts.

However, in 787 CE, the iconodules won a major victory.  At the Second Council of Nicaea (SeventhEcumenical Council), the veneration of icons was upheld.  Although this was met with staunch opposition from Charlemagne in particular, it was again affirmed in 842 at the Synod of Constantinople.  This triumphal iconodule event is known as the Feast of Orthodoxy, and synchronistically occurred on the first Sunday of Lent that year. Since then, the first Sunday of Lent has been known as the Sunday of Orthodoxy, and has been declared a perpetual feast day.

The theme for this feast day has been expanded into a general celebration of the victory of true faith over

heresy.  Ironically (but not surprisingly), the “heresy” definitions of iconoclasts and iconodules are opposite

in nature.  Whereas iconoclasts deem the veneration of icons to be heresy, these iconodules deem the

veneration of icons to be an expression of faith in the incarnate Christ.

For them, the incarnation of Jesus indicates a divine connection between the material and spiritual realms.

Therefore, God can be venerated through works of art, but – key difference - not in works of art.

Resources

http://orthodoxwiki.org/Sunday_of_Orthodoxy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventh_Ecumenical_Council

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icon_Corner

http://orthodoxinfo.com/general/icon_faq.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iconodule

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iconoclasm

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+20%3A3-5&version=KJV

Copyright March 13, by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved