The Empress Irene.
Iconolatry is the worship of images or icons
Some Christians objected to the presence of icons in church due to concerns about idolatry, believing that the veneration of icons could lead to worshiping the image rather than the spiritual truth it represents. They also argued that icons could distract from the true essence of Christian faith and could potentially confuse or mislead believers.
During the 8th century dispute over the use of icons, known as the Iconoclast Controversy, the supporters of icons, or Iconodules, were primarily the monks and many church leaders, particularly in the Eastern Roman Empire. Prominent figures included St. John of Damascus, who defended the veneration of icons through theological arguments. The support for icons was rooted in the belief that icons served as important tools for teaching and connecting the faithful with the divine.
No, Iconoclasm was the movement that did not believe in venerating (honoring) icons. The beliefs of this movement were condemned as false during the Seventh Ecumenical Council of the whole church, which condemned Iconoclasm and declared that the veneration of icons was an essential part of the Christian Faith.
An icon is a flat panel painting depicting Jesus, Mary, saints and angels which is an object of veneration. This form of Christian veneration became widespread in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. It also reached the western part, but did not become widespread like in the eastern part.
A painting of a religious image is known as an icon. Icons are commonly used in various religious traditions, such as Christian Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches, as objects of veneration and meditation. The process of creating icons follows specific guidelines established by the tradition they belong to.
According to the tradition between 726 and 730 the Byzantine Leo III ordered the removal of an image of Christ, prominently placed over the Chalke Gate, the ceremonial entrance to the Great Palace of Constantinople, and its replacement with a cross. Leo saw image veneration as a craft of idolatry and forbade the veneration of religious images in a 730 edict This did not apply to other forms of art, including the image of the emperor, or religious symbols such as the cross. He did not consult the church. This led to a clash with the Patriarch of Constantinople, who was a supporter of icons (an iconodule). It is likely that the controversy over the icons started in the provinces of the empire before Leo's actions.
They were not. Both the Orthodox and Roman Catholics accept the decision of the Seventh Ecumenical Council which declared that the veneration of icons is essential in the Christian Church. The split (or schism) was due to other causes, such as Papal claims of supremacy, and the change to the Creed.
The Roman Catholic Church used icons as visual representations of religious figures and events to aid in worship, prayer, and teaching. Icons were believed to facilitate a connection between the worshipper and the divine, serving as a means of spiritual contemplation and inspiration. They were also used to convey theological concepts and stories from the Bible to illiterate congregants. Icons played a significant role in the Church's liturgical practices and were considered sacred objects of veneration.
Orthodox saints icons hold significant importance in the religious practices of the Orthodox Church as they serve as visual representations of revered saints and biblical figures. These icons are believed to facilitate a connection between the worshipper and the divine, serving as a focal point for prayer and meditation. The Orthodox Church views these icons as windows to the spiritual realm, allowing believers to seek intercession and guidance from the saints depicted. The veneration of saints through icons is a central aspect of Orthodox Christian worship, emphasizing the continuity of faith and tradition passed down through generations.
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