Pocket Icons

[Machachachi]

Are there pocket sized icons? Is it okay to carry an icon with you?

 

[MariaRegina]

Yes, there are pocket sized icons, but I use those to mark my prayer books. Some people put these pocket sized icons into their wallets to carry with them along with pictures of their loved ones.

However, if you visit your local Orthodox bookstore (online or in your church), you might be able to find some small icons made of medal to wear around your neck. Many guys will wear icon lapel pins. Sometimes these icon pins are made for special occasions.

 

[Machachachi]

I just think it might be helpful to me to carry one around, to look at during times when I am weak. And I am so weak . Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

 

[MariaRegina]

I just think it might be helpful to me to carry one around, to look at during times when I am weak. And I am so weak . Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

We are all sinners.

If you have ever been to an Orthodox funeral, sometimes the ushers will pass out small icon cards.

Sometimes an icon catalog or book catalog, such as Regina Orthodox Press, will have a small icon printed in full color. I have cut those out, laminated them and carried them with me. Office Depot and other stationery suppliers sometimes have a small pocket size laminator.

 

[MariaRegina]

Several priests have icons printed on the reverse of their business cards.

In fact, I have seen two icons printed on double sized business cards that are free standing. These can be given out to patients in hospitals so the sick can venerate the holy images while in the hospital.

When I went to the Orthodoxy Sunday Vespers, one priest was handing out his cards to people. As I recall, this was for the prison ministry. In many prisons, prisoners are only allowed to have one religious object - a religious book, a bible, an icon, or prayer beads/rope. The Icon business card counts as a business card. So that is a win-win situation for these prisoners.

 

[NyssaTheHobbit]

I have a tiny travel icon which I keep in my purse. It's a diptych: one side Christ, the other Mary, and made of wood.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I have a few pocket sized icons, but they usually serve as bookmarks or decorate my car's dashboard. I don't think it's a good idea to actually carry one in your pocket, because they can get easily damaged.

 

[Michael G]

I have 2 small handwritten icons of the Theotokos that I keep in my car at all times. Both are about 2x3 inches. I also am in the process of making a mounted print of the Theotokos Igor that I wrote in a pocket size. That icon means alot to me, but I can't take it anywhere I go because of it's very large 40 inch x 30 inch size. Thus a small 4x6 of the icon will be very helpful for me to keep on my person.

As for damaging a pocket sized icon, if the icon is laminated and mounted on wood or particle board I really don't see how the icon will get damaged as long as it is well taken care of. I am not a fan of an icon being thrown in a purse due to the large ammount of things in the purse, but I don't see an issue with pockets.

But then, what do I know?

 

[Michael G]

Machachachi,
If you need a source for a pocket sized, laminated mounted print of an icon to keep in your pocket, let me know. I might be able to send something your way.

 

[-Kyriaki-]

The priests here seem to give them out ALL THE TIME, as do monasteries. I have heaps of them, two are blu-tacked above the head of my bed (Christ and the Theotokos) while others are in my wallet and icon corner.

 

[SeraphimSarov]

I carry a very small, very thin triptych in my pocket at all times. I've had it for quite awhile and it has not sustained any damage. If you can find a pocket-sized icon to carry with you that will withstand being kept in your pocket, I say go for it. Just make sure you actually pray with and venerate them!

 

[Blackknight]

I should put some icons in my car, I spend enough time there.

 

[27B6]

Portable icons have been very helpful in my prayer life, as having them around or with me reminds me to pray throughout the day!

I keep a couple laminated icon prints (Christ and Theotokos) in my wallet. The wallet is a little larger and wider than average mens' wallets, and I specially chose it for carrying a couple icons. It has a protective clear-plastic foldout area for family photos so they don't get bent as I carry them. One could also make a simple cardboard insert (like the insert one finds in laundered and pressed shirts) placed behind the icons as backing.

For overnight or holiday travel I take a portable wooden diptych that can stand by my bedside, but my wallet icons can act as a diptych in a pinch.

Another idea is to find a pocket card holder or pocket-sized photo album that can accommodate 3.5"x2.5" or so.

You could also put laminated icons in fold-down car visors, along with a traveling prayer to say whenever you hop in the car. I've also seen icon medallions to hang from the car mirror.

I think the main consideration for portable icons is to make sure they are not damaged or bent during regular use, just as you wouldn't want precious family photos you carry with you to get damaged.

 

[Etsi]

The monastery has them...so I would presume that it's an accepted thing. My daughter carries hers in a special pocket of her purse.