Iconography in Oriental Orthodoxy

[SpyridonOCA]

Since Oriental Orthodox Christians do not formally accept the Seventh Ecumenical Council, I am curious as to your doctrine of icons. Is it normal in an Oriental Orthodox parish to cross yourself before an icon, to kiss an icon, or bow before an icon? Do you believe that, once blessed by a priest, the spirit of the one depicted indwells the icon? I greatly appreciate the efforts toward restoring unity between our faith traditions, and this is one issue that should be addressed to that end.

[copticorthodoxy]

Since Oriental Orthodox Christians do not formally accept the Seventh Ecumenical Council, I am curious as to your doctrine of icons. Is it normal in an Oriental Orthodox parish to cross yourself before an icon, to kiss an icon, or bow before an icon? Do you believe that, once blessed by a priest, the spirit of the one depicted indwells the icon? I greatly appreciate the efforts toward restoring unity between our faith traditions, and this is one issue that should be addressed to that end.

We venerate the icons without any council , We don't need all these councils to be true Orthodox

[Yeznik]

Since Oriental Orthodox Christians do not formally accept the Seventh Ecumenical Council, I am curious as to your doctrine of icons. Is it normal in an Oriental Orthodox parish to cross yourself before an icon, to kiss an icon, or bow before an icon? Do you believe that, once blessed by a priest, the spirit of the one depicted indwells the icon? I greatly appreciate the efforts toward restoring unity between our faith traditions, and this is one issue that should be addressed to that end.

Well the real question would be did any Church venerate icons before the Seventh Ecumenical Council? The answer would be yes. Then we would have to look at when and how this Tradition was started, not to go into further details, all Churches agree that this Tradition was from the first century if not earlier.

You see if we say that the teaching of icons was something taught starting at a council in the 7th century, then the Protestant argument come into play be stating that veneration of icons was something “invented” in the 7th century and did not exist in the early church. But, if we fully understand what happened in the 7th century is that the apology of icons was given rather then a doctrinal statement.

[minasoliman]

Do you believe that, once blessed by a priest, the spirit of the one depicted indwells the icon?I would answer yes to everything, but I'd like a clarification on this one. We honor the person whom the icon depicts, and the blessings of that person exists on that icon just as a blessing existed on the mantle of Elijah. Does that mean Elijah's spirit was in the mantle?

Just a side note, I once visited an ancient third century Coptic Church that had many icons in it. So if anything, there existed veneration in the third century for sure in the Coptic Church, waaaaaay before even Chalcedon.

God bless.

[zhilan]

Well the real question would be did any Church venerate icons before the Seventh Ecumenical Council? The answer would be yes. Then we would have to look at when and how this Tradition was started, not to go into further details, all Churches agree that this Tradition was from the first century if not earlier.

You see if we say that the teaching of icons was something taught starting at a council in the 7th century, then the Protestant argument come into play be stating that veneration of icons was something “invented” in the 7th century and did not exist in the early church. But, if we fully understand what happened in the 7th century is that the apology of icons was given rather then a doctrinal statement.
Very good point! If icons didn't show up until the 7th council....we'll we'd be in trouble!

[buzuxi02]

Very good point! If icons didn't show up until the 7th council....we'll we'd be in trouble!
Councils dont invent anything, they clarify right belief from wrong. That which the church has always held at all times.

[zhilan]

Councils dont invent anything, they clarify right belief from wrong. That which the church has always held at all times.
Exactly. Thus it only makes sense that they were there before!