[MarMema]

The icon is a witness to the Incarnation. It is for us a theology all its own, about the created revealing to us the Uncreated, just as Christ did. The icon cannot be taken out of the church and seen on its own, but is an integral part of the whole theme of the Incarnation, which is seen everywhere in the Orthodox church. And the icon cannot be viewed with secular eyes and have meaning.

"The contemplation of the Church is different from the secular vision precisely by the fact that, in the visible, the Church contemplates the invisible; and in the temporal, the eternal, which is revealed to us in worship. Like worship itself, the icon is a revelation of eternity in time. This is why in sacred art the naturalistic portrait of a person can only be a historical document: in no way can it reflect the liturgical image, the icon." (Ouspensky)

But in truth, we are all icons. Made in His image and hopefully able to convey the Uncreated.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

The icon is a witness to the Incarnation. It is for us a theology all its own, about the created revealing to us the Uncreated, just as Christ did.

Respectfully, MarMema, the Theology of the Icon is NOT to Christians "a theology all its own". The Gospels, ICONS AND ALL, is to "the Jew first, and also to the Greeks".

The Jews did receive, even in the Old Testament, an Iconography which they must admit does not violate the Second Commandment, in the Graven Cherubim who paid homage to the Mercy Seat.

But they are unwilling to look upon the Mercy Seat itself, who is Jesus Christ, the Express Icon of the Invisible Father. (OP's alternative translation of Hebrews 1:1-3, which he is willing to defend)

This is one reason that in Eastern Orthodox Churches there are representations of two cherubim behind the altar on which the bread and wine are consecrated to become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ who was sacrificed for mankind. And between and before them is the altar at which the communion takes place in the Eucharist. ~~ www.Liturgica.com

Jesus Christ, our Mercy Seat.

But though the Jews have accepted the Biblically-ordained Iconography of the two Graven Cherubim who stand on either side of the Mercy Seat, paying homage.... they are unwilling to look upon the Icon of Mercy Himself, and be saved: the Lord Jesus Christ, the Express Image of God (Hebrews 1:3 again)

This is the Great Tragedy of the Jews. So close.... and yet, so far.

And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (Zechariah 12:10)