A History of Iconography

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4 жыл бұрын

[Find out more about iconography at: monasteryicons.com/categories/did-you-know ]Iconography is a special mode of Christian sacred art, combining the natural and the symbolic in a unique stylized way to convey the spiritual dimension of what is depicted. As the famous Greek iconographer wrote, “Icons raise the soul and mind to the realm of the spirit.”
Iconography is the original tradition of Christian sacred art, and has been an integral part of the worship and mystical life of Christians since the times of the Apostles. Referred to in the Eastern Christian tradition as "windows into heaven," icons have inspired and uplifted millions of the faithful, and many times have been the instruments for demonstrating God's miraculous intercession in the life of mankind.
Church tradition teaches that the first iconographer was Saint Luke the Evangelist. He painted the holy image of the Virgin Mary, a face which he himself had seen, and brought his first icons to the Mother of God herself, who approved them and proclaimed: "May the grace of Him Who was born of me, through me, be imparted to these icons." There are at least five highly-venerated icons of the Blessed Virgin painted by Saint Luke which are still venerated today. And he is also known to have painted icons of Saints Peter and Paul.
The beginnings of iconography can also be found in the catacomb paintings of the second and third centuries, including the first discovered house-church of Dura-Europos in Syria from that time. Because of the persecutions of the church in these earliest days of Christianity, not many icons have been preserved from that era. But contemporary writings indicate the use of icons even then.
Iconography was given special attention and favor by the early Byzantine Empire. The emperor Constantine the Great relieved of all taxation the artists who made the mosaics for the churches. Iconography flourished throughout the Empire in the form of mosaics, frescoes (or wall paintings), and panel icons. And it became most fully developed and widely spread in the sixth century, under the rule of Justinian the Great. [establishing the classic style]
It was the custom of the early Church father Saint John Chrysostom to keep an icon of Saint Paul before him whenever he studied the Epistles of Saint Paul, for inspiration and to invoke the Apostle's blessing. Once when Saint John looked up from the text, the icon of Saint Paul seemed to come alive and the Apostle spoke to him. As another Church Father, Saint Basil the Great, said, "With a soundless voice the icons teach those who behold them."
But iconography became a subject of great controversy in the seventh and eighth centuries. The Iconoclasts (or "icon-smashers") were suspicious of any sacred art which represented human beings or God, and demanded the destruction of icons. The Iconodules (or venerators of icons) vigorously defended the place of icons in the life of the Church. Iconoclasm may have been influenced by Jewish and Moslem ideas, and also reflected a "puritan" outlook in Christianity which saw in all images a latent idolatry.The veneration of icons was upheld by the Seventh and last Ecumenical Council, which met in Nicaea in 787 A.D. Another attack on icons by the Emperor Leo III during the next century was overturned when the Empress Theodora permanently reinstated the veneration of icons in the year 843, a victory which is commemorated annually in the Orthodox Church as "the Triumph of Orthodoxy."
Although many of us associate iconography with the Church of the East, it is also the original tradition of sacred art in the Western Church. Mosaics, frescoes, and paintings in Rome, Spain, and France bear witness that the Byzantine style was the artistic tradition common to both Western and Eastern Christianity up to the twelfth century.
Over the succeeding centuries there were times of decline in the Church’s use of traditional iconography and even sacred art per se. During the 15th and 16th centuries the Italian Renaissance began this erosion by its fascination with the so-called classical humanity of the pre-Christian era and its purely naturalistic, fleshly approach to art. But in response to the Renaissance there emerged the “Cretan revival” of the Byzantine tradition, led by painters such as Theophanes of Crete, Michael Damaskinos, Manuel Panselinos, and Emmanuel Tzanes and others. And some of the greatest icons and frescoes were created in the monasteries of Mt. Athos and in Serbia.
To find out more about the modern history of iconography, watch this video! Or visit the "Did You Know?" section of the Monatery Icons website to find out more about iconography: monasteryicons.com/categories/did-you-know

Пікірлер: 215

@vereelizabeth4176 3 жыл бұрын

Looking at the icons always make me want to cry.

@MonasteryIcons 3 жыл бұрын

Because icons tap into our inner being which responds accordingly. Thanks.

@jojo_manolo 28 күн бұрын

Looking at icons do make me feel inspired

@alans2418 2 жыл бұрын

Recently I've seen the powerful spiritual value of the beautiful Christian art and statues. They've been keeping me steady in my faith just by a glance at one of them. Just having a moment to reflect the spiritual lesson depicted or to be reminded visually of our Lord Jesus Christ! Thank you Jesus for blessing such artists!

@MonasteryIcons 2 жыл бұрын

They are constant reminders of the presence of God and those represented, and of their inspiring examples.

@vereelizabeth4176 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing.

@MarathonMann 7 ай бұрын

Beautiful summary! Well for the spirit

@dannyhuskerjay 2 жыл бұрын

It isn’t idol worshiping because these people were real. God became man and now we can see him everyday with our icons.

@The_Mosaic Жыл бұрын

Like Hercules

@samiramobayed615 Жыл бұрын

Great information! Thank you !

@MonasteryIcons Жыл бұрын

And thank you.

@vereelizabeth4176 3 жыл бұрын

Icons raise the soul and mind...hmm! Very true to me.

@BahamutZero09 2 жыл бұрын

I just bought a St. Catherine of Siena icon from Monastery Icons and it's amazing.

@MonasteryIcons 2 жыл бұрын

It is always good to hear from a satisfied customer!

@Orthodoge 3 жыл бұрын

Wow the last one of Christ Pantocrator 😳😳

@johnoffen7286 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, I never knew St Luke's paintings survived. Were any eyewitness paintings of Jesus ever done? Thanks for an excellent video.

@MonasteryIcons 2 жыл бұрын

For many centuries, the Holy Mandylion was the nearest to such a representation. A good account of the image "not made by hands" can be seen here: full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2010/08/holy-mandylion-napkin-of-christ-not.html

@rl4u144 2 жыл бұрын

There is no evidence in scripture or anywhere else that Luke painted these icons. This is purely church folklore and should not be stated as fact. I don't mean to be a killjoy, but God wants us to be truthful.

@KarmaKraftttt 2 жыл бұрын

@@rl4u144 If you wanna be that truthful then tell me how would you know who wrote the 4 gospels? Cause nowhere in the 4 gospels mentioned their names. If you're soooo truthful then I dare you say that Matthew Mark Luke and John was also church folklore.

@Stardust475 Жыл бұрын

@@KarmaKraftttt Unknown writers? There are multiple sources regarding authorship of the Gospels - from the students of the successors of the Apostles. 1. St. Irenaeus of Lyon (130-200AD) , student of Polycarp, the student of John the disciple of Jesus ( did you follow that isnad?). Reports Matthew wrote the Gospel in Hebrew, Peter and Paul preached in Rome, Mark his student wrote the Gospel (of Mark) after Peter's demise. Luke followed Paul and recorded Paul. Paul knew Peter personally. John wrote his Gospel (of John) in Ephesus. 2. Clement of Alexandria (150-215) converted to Christianity via Pantaneus Reports, Mark was the student of Peter, Gospel of Mark is according to the testimony of Peter the Apostle. John (John the Apostle) wrote his Gospel. Luke is the author of Acts and translator of Paul's Letter to the Hebrews. (Clement's famous student was Origen). 3. Papias of Asia Minor (Hierapolis) 125 AD, knew Polycarp, student of John the Apostle, disciple of Jesus. Reports, Matthew wrote Gospel in Hebrew, which was translated in other languages. Mark was the interpreter of Peter the Apostle - the Gospel of Mark. 4. Tertullian of Carthage 160-225 AD Reports Gospel authors are the Apostles Matthew and John. And the Apostolic men, Mark and Luke reaffirm the Gospels. 5. The Muratorion Canon/ fragment is the oldest list of the books of New Testament. Found in a 7thC Latin manuscript, it is a translation of the Greek original dated to Mid 2ndC earliest and latest date early 4thC. You can compare the canon to current on wikipedia. This list notes the Gospels and authors, incl Acts and the Epistles. St Augustine of Algeria responded to the accusation of anonymous authors in the 4thC. 'How do we know know the authorship of the Gospels? Through an unbroken chain of evidence, through a succession of testimonies to the books to the present day. This is the same way we know the authorship of the works of Aristotle, Plato, Cicero, Hippocrates? A chain of evidence and the succession of testimonies!

@Stardust475 Жыл бұрын

@@KarmaKraftttt I researched who wrote the Gospels and I'm aware many biblical experts don't accept this narrative, but claiming no one knows who wrote the Gospels 8s false and maybe you didn't do your own research. Icons however don't have any evidence back to the Apostles, their successors or the early Church. Copy pasting a comment I left here after watching this video. What's the evidence Luke painted an icon and took it to Mary? Thats a huge claim Is there a single report in Lukes writings of icon veneration in the early Christian community? You also said the Apostles, again, another claim? Would be interested in the evidence pls. I've been looking at images of early churches. Mosaics, fishes and early Christian art in catacombs are not icons. Conflating early Christian drawings art to icons is misrepresenting the early Church. Icons began to be used much later, and became established by 5thC/6thC. Claims of Jesus' face and Luke painting icons, needs to be substantiated, otherwise its just legend and folklore.

@DreamCapturing 3 жыл бұрын

❤

@vanfja 8 ай бұрын

This is a Roman Catholic video and website. Interesting that they explain mostly Orthodox topics on Iconography.

@user-zi7gd9pn3l 6 ай бұрын

Nah its a hindu website with a Catholic/orthodox cover.

@nyrangersfan22 4 жыл бұрын

Great to see the history of the Lord Jesus Christ’s depictions in art!

@MonasteryIcons 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your support!

@nyrangersfan22 4 жыл бұрын

Monastery Icons God Bless You!

@hermitruben4032 3 жыл бұрын

From Misión Cruz Hermitage in Somerset, Texas. Blessings

@MonasteryIcons 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. We can always use blessings!

@Sunny-sr2jv 9 ай бұрын

Byzantine Rite has saved the traditional of iconography in the Catholic Church

@victoriap1561 2 жыл бұрын

I don't see how the style from thr western church is that different from the one of the first churches if anything the Eastern churches got more abstract unrealistic while the western church got more realistic but they arr both quite different from the original style. There are also examples of Christian statues from antiquity so it is an old tradition

@karenbartlett1307 2 жыл бұрын

The Orthodox icons are written by a spiritual person who has fasted and prayed first. They are not meant to be "realistic" as in art. They are meant to convey a message-the Scriptures in painted form. The earliest icons go back to the Catacombs, when Rome was still Orthodox. Icons have to be consecrated by the Church before they're considered to be icons.

@anitanance5000 2 жыл бұрын

Rev. 1 vs 14-15⚔️

@baltazarandrada8793 3 жыл бұрын

It's good if the Catholic Church retained the use of icons rather than statues. The latter is creepy!

@bijogeojose7209 3 жыл бұрын

It should be noted that the Western church (now, the Catholic Church) used icons along with the Eastern churches (Orthodox and Orientals). Images engraved or chiseled on stone slabs were also used, and some researchers assume that the use of statues may have developed from this practice. But researchers also claim that since every church flourished in respect of their cultural identity, the use of statues, which were widely used throughout the western empire, was also adopted by the Western church. As for statues being creepy, I've heard people say that icons are creepy in the way they depict the saint and our Lord, which I find very amussing because clearly, they need to understand the theological aspect of the icons. The same goes for statues. Statues are not meant to be a window to heaven (like icons) but a depiction of the person through which we can feel close to them. Both ways of thinking are worthy of respect and exploration.

@baltazarandrada8793 3 жыл бұрын

@@bijogeojose7209 Nice one.

@SoRunThatYeMayObtain 3 жыл бұрын

@@bijogeojose7209 Yes, very nice.

@rl4u144 2 жыл бұрын

They're both creepy to me. Especially when the scriptures tell us: "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or ANY LIKENESS of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God" (Ex 20:4,5)

@justanotherlikeyou 2 жыл бұрын

@RL4U "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me." (Exo. 20:2,3) The immediate context of the Lord's words you quoted in Exo. 20:4,5 are regarding the worship of other gods. The Church has only ever worshipped the All Holy Trinity. The Church has never and will never worship any saint or angel no matter how lauded or venerated they may be in the Church. This includes the Most Holy Theotokos as well. We only worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Period.

@bonarsejati9239 2 жыл бұрын

Some Christians venerated it, and the rest are not.

@forestmoriarty2932 4 ай бұрын

I love the art, especially for the purposes of teaching. But kissing, bowing, or “venerating” to them is out for me.

@ashtonlambert7673 2 жыл бұрын

why am i convicted buying one

@rl4u144 2 жыл бұрын

It's probably God telling you that it's not His will. The scriptures tell us: "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or ANY LIKENESS of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God" (Ex 20:4,5)

@ashtonlambert7673 2 жыл бұрын

@@rl4u144 Thank you:)

@DoctorDewgong 2 жыл бұрын

@@rl4u144 bro the ecumenical council that approved icons had an infinitely more robust knowledge of scripture than you. You took a couple sentences out of context. You are not like them

@rl4u144 2 жыл бұрын

@@DoctorDewgong Funny how you think because they wear a robe and goofy hat that somehow they cannot be in error. Humans are sinful by nature. Paul warned about idolatry creeping into the church because it's our sinful nature to worship something other than God (see the 1st and 2nd commandment)

@magrethnyange9723 4 ай бұрын

Do not buy. White man called Jesus Christ never existed.

@LaMammaDiElvis 2 жыл бұрын

Exodus 20:4 - “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth."

@rl4u144 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!! I can't believe they try to spin idolatry as if it's in God's will. There is nowhere in scripture where the early church used or created icons. If Luke made those icons, then why wouldn't he have mentioned them in the gospel or the book of Acts?

@cameron4339 2 жыл бұрын

God demanded the Ark to have angels on top, and demanded that a bronze snake to be made so people can be healed by it, if you take it into context it ropes in the first comandment, no other gods before the one true God, and none after, our icons are not God, God haves no problem with images or he would have been a moron for allowing images in the first place, and givin the choices ill go with the option that does not call my God a moron

@cameron4339 2 жыл бұрын

@@rl4u144 thr Gospel was focused on the person of Christ and who he is and what he haves done, there was no need to add the other stuff because it would make the gospel not so clear and simple even a child can understand, "Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle" 2 Thessalonians 2:15

@rl4u144 2 жыл бұрын

@@cameron4339 Exactly. "The traditions which you WERE TAUGHT." Nowhere in the New testament is the tradition of icons taught. You're talking about "traditions" which came long after the early church, and therefore they are the "traditions of men." Mark7:8 " "You lay aside the commandment of God, and hold the tradition of men..." Talking to the dead was expressly forbidden and likened to witchcraft.

@rl4u144 2 жыл бұрын

@@cameron4339 Religious depictions (art) are not idols in themselves. It's what you DO with them which makes them an idol. Please show me the scripture where Moses lit candles under those angel figures on the ark. When did he talk to them? Ask them for help? Use them for "good luck"? Talking to the dead is as witchcraft, and strictly forbidden all through scripture.

@lukasg9031 3 жыл бұрын

Isn’t st Luke just a “legend”? Meaning there isn’t actually proof he was the first person to make an icon

@reginalddillinger992 2 жыл бұрын

No he was not just a legend! What rubbish. You might be referring to St. George.

@lukasg9031 2 жыл бұрын

@@reginalddillinger992 what else was he?

@rl4u144 2 жыл бұрын

He was real, but the idea that Luke painted those icons is church folklore. Especially when the scriptures tell us: "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or ANY LIKENESS of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God" (Ex 20:4,5)

@lukasg9031 2 жыл бұрын

@@rl4u144 I wasn’t saying St Luke himself wasn’t real. I meant to say the idea of him making the icon a legend. You are correct. The scripture does say that. But if you read a little further God commands Moses to make a image. What was that image? 2 angels… are you saying God broke his very own command a few chapters before? If you read the verse you stated in its context you would know means don’t make anything to worship. Images, drawings, statues, etc. aren’t forbidden. It’s forbidden to worship them

@rl4u144 2 жыл бұрын

@@lukasg9031 Please send me the verse where Moses lights candles under the angels and talks to them and kisses them. It's not that depictions of religious scenes, symbols and art are wrong in themselves. It's what they're USED for which makes them idols. If icons were a legit part of Christianity and the church, surely Luke would have included some kind of reference to it in the book of Acts. Paul never mentions anything about it in his epistles either. When Paul was in prison what did he send for?? Answer: His scrolls -ie, the Word of God.

@ronreeder2967 2 жыл бұрын

EXODUS 20:4 (KJV, from Hebrew) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image/(Strong's H6459) pesel / פֶ֣֙סֶל֙ or any likeness/similitude/(Strong's H8544) temunah / תְּמוּנָ֡֔ה of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. DEUTERONOMY ("Secondary Law") 4:15 (KJV, from Hebrew) Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude/likeness/(Strong's H8544) temunah / תְּמוּנָ֡֔ה on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire. Where the Hebrew EX. 20:4 has "pesel", the Greek Septuagint has εἴδωλον / idol. Where the Hebrew EX. 20:4 & DEUT. 4:15 have "temunah", the Greek Septuagint has ὁμοίωμα / resemblance. Notice that the Greek word: εικόν / ikon is not used in either verse, so ikons were technically not forbidden even back then. EX. 20:4 commands to not make or adore a pesel/idol or temunah/likeness/similitude/ὁμοίωμα/resemblance. That is the letter of the law. It tells what the law says. DEUT. 4:15 says that the reason Moses & the Israelites were forbidden to make & venerate a temunah/similitude/likeness/ὁμοίωμα/resemblance was that they had never seen a true likeness of God. That is the spirit of the law; the principle on which that law (EX. 20:4) is based. It tells us why that law (EX. 20:4) says what it says. So if they had seen a temunah/similitude/likeness/ὁμοίωμα/resemblance, they could make ikons or statues to use for contemplative focus & mental concentration during prayer; especially since the Bible never says to close or shut your eyes while praying (that's a man-made tradition). Logically, it is reasonable to assume that if anyone ever saw a true likeness of God, the command of EX. 20:4 would be reversed for them; & it would be good for them to make, use, & honor true likenesses of God's revealed image. So what does the NT say? JOHN 1:1-3, 14 1 In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. And the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by Him. And without Him was not any thing made that was made. 14 And the Word was made flesh, & dwelt among us. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace & truth. 1 JOHN 1: 1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked upon, our hands have also handled; about the Word of life. 2 For the Life was manifested, & we have seen it, & bear witness, & shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, & was manifested unto us. 3 What we have seen & heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us. And truly our fellowship is with the Father, & with His Son: Jesus Christ. If photography had been invented back then, John could have taken a photo of Jesus. And what would have been wrong with that? Nothing. GENESIS 27:29 (Isaac said to Jacob) Let people serve thee, & nations bow down to thee. Be lord over thy brethren, & let thy mother's sons bow down to thee. Cursed be every one that curseth thee, & blessed be he that blesseth thee. GEN. 37:10 And he (Joseph) told it to his father (Jacob), & to his brethren. And his father rebuked him, & said unto him: "What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I & thy mother & thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? GEN. 42:6 So Joseph was the governor over the land. And he it was that sold to all the people of the land. Then Joseph's brethren came & bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth. 2 SAM. 14:33 So Joab came to the king (David), & told him. And when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, & bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom. 2 SAM. 15:5 Also, when anyone approached to bow down to him; Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him, & kiss him. 1 KINGS 2:19 So Bathsheba went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, & bowed himself unto her, & sat down on his throne, & caused a seat to be set for the king's mother. And she sat on his right hand. REVELATIONS 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan; which say they are Jews, & are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come & worship ( προσκυνήσουσιν ) before thy feet, & to know that I have loved thee. JOSHUA 7:6 And Joshua ripped his clothes, & fell to the earth upon his face before the Ark of the LORD until the eventide; he & the elders of Israel, & put dust upon their heads. DAN. 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; & his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem (where the Ark of the Covenant was); he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, & prayed, & gave thanks before his God; as he did aforetime. MAT. 22: 19 "Shew Me the tribute coin." And they brought unto Him a denarius. 20 And He saith unto them: "Whose is this ikon ( εἰκὼν ) & superscription ( ἐπιγραφή )?" 21 They say unto Him: "Caesar's." Then saith He unto them: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; & unto God the things that are God's." ROMANS 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. It is good & right to bow to Holy Ikons, which includes crucifixes & holy statues. By doing so; we render due honor, not to the physical object of the image & its material ingredients, but to the person it portrays. If we bow to an ikon of Christ, we honor both His visible humanity & invisible deity. If we bow to ikons of saints, we honor their obedient fidelity to God; & we honor God for working with, in, & through them.

@deer563 Жыл бұрын

Lies

@ronreeder2967 Жыл бұрын

... are all you have in your puny brain.

@bigbosssauce7 9 ай бұрын

You realize that the Church Fathers met multiple times to discuss the topic of icons and affirmed each time that iconography is not idolatry, right?

@elie6769 2 жыл бұрын

Judaism no iconography

@Manga_4x 2 жыл бұрын

Dura europa and the temple of Solomon ????

@rl4u144 2 жыл бұрын

Real Christianity no iconography either.

@cameron4339 2 жыл бұрын

@@rl4u144 no, Icons are fine the old testament did something simular to venerating icons

@naum391theallstargamer9 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah and the ark of covenant?

@karenbartlett1307 2 жыл бұрын

Jewish synagogue from Dura Europa, Syria, is full of icons. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rdR8n7ekktzPYIU.html

@rl4u144 2 жыл бұрын

There is no evidence in scripture or anywhere else that Luke painted these icons. This is purely church folklore and should not be stated as fact.

@Juan-tb2ww 2 жыл бұрын

I dont know if there is "no evidence"

@dannyhuskerjay 2 жыл бұрын

So the church lies? Breaking Gods commands. You Protestants really are something

@rl4u144 2 жыл бұрын

@@dannyhuskerjay The church has been wrong many times. See St. Paul's letters to the the early churches. Paul warns them often about slipping into idolatry. Humans are fallen - and are drawn to idols.

@rl4u144 2 жыл бұрын

@@dannyhuskerjay I don't know if the church is "lying" but they are certainly wrong in promoting idolatry. They've been wrong about many thing throughout history. The question is - will they swallow their pride and admit it? They will be accountable for how they lead the flock.

@user-pj7sq7ce1f Жыл бұрын

@@rl4u144 so as Jesus Christ is the only saviour why Paul says i save some 1 cor 9:22 .Did he fall also himself in your logic?