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Praying with Icons
Introduction
Among Orthodox Christians, artists speak of "writing” an icon (the literal meaning of the word "iconography").
Thus, icons are described as being & "written" rather than painted; that is because they are designed to communicate. An icon is the visual equivalent of the word of Sacred Scripture and Tradition.
The pictures are not there just to be looked at as though worshipers were in an art museum. As opposed to other
art in which everyone who looks at an image is free to make up his or her own ideas about what it means, icons.
communicate precisely. They are designed to be doors between this world and another world. If a door is to do
its job, it must have "throughput" in two directions. As we move toward an icon, it moves toward us.
For example, in Catholic belief, Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. At Mass, the worshippers and priest are not &" reenacting"; the Last Supper; they are "truly present” as active participants at the original Last Supper with
Jesus and the Apostles. Orthodox belief of icons has this same "truly present" nature.
An icon points us to something beyond itself. The purpose of an icon is to allow a face-to-face encounter with a
holy person or make present a sacred event. When we stand in front of an icon we are in touch with that person
(Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, an angel, a saint) and/or we take part in that event. The historical event of the
Nativity is here and now to us when we look at a Nativity icon. What we call 'our world" and what we call "the spiritual world" are opened to each other.
Therefore, we not only recognize the person or event, we are also expected to respond. Our response may be
belief, disbelief (for a non-believer), or praise, or wonder, or prayer, or encouragement, or terror (about the Last Judgment), or questions about Christian doctrine.
Praying with Icons
- The appropriate first response to an icon is silence. Let the icon say something to you rather than coming at it with a frantic agenda of personal concerns.
- Praying with an icon is like developing a relationship with another person. Quiet listening is needed as well as
personal self-revelation. An icon opens up a window to a relationship.
- Start with five minutes for several months, then ten minutes for several months. Increase to fifteen minutes only when you can use the time fully.
- None of your prayer should be committed to paper. Pray with the living flow of your thoughts. Take it slowly and you will find that a rhythm is set up.
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