Strangeness of Icons
To the average eye icons are strange; they are not photographs of actual people or events. They are stylized, unique, void of dimension, above and beyond the plane of reality. To understand the why of icon strangeness, it is necessary to accept the fact that icons are pictorial expressions of the teaching of the church. They represent concrete events and persons of sacred history and indicate their inner meaning. The image attempts to portray the "deified" or transfigured saint - the glorious person who shares fully the life of God. In an attempt to do this, the icon painter forgets three dimension, real physical appearance, details and background. He uses blazing colors, backgrounds of gold, elaborate stylized clothing, elongated features and a gaze beyond time. All this is used in an attempt to take us beyond our present human state, good in itself hut only completed by our transfiguration, our change to a glorious "life in God."
Nature Transfigured
Since Jesus Christ took on human flesh, he gave greater importance to humanity - all nature is renewed because of his being like unto us. The image of God is perfectly seen in the image of man, more so it deifies man. No lines, colors nor words represent God adequately but icons attempt to use nature, a gift of God and make his presence felt and seen. Thus, the language of icons uses symbols and figures to attempt to portray what cannot be truly portrayed - the unique God.
All aspects of God's creation go into making an icon. All these natural elements try to give us a vision of God. Chalk and alabaster are used in a ground on which the paint is applied; these are representations of the mineral world. Plant life is manifested by the wood on which the icon is painted. Next is the animal kingdom - the eggs mixed with the paint. The human world offers the painter, the one through whose hands God acts. Nature is further represented by the natural pigments used for color and precious gems used for adornment. All put together, the icon elements emphasize that holiness dwells in creation.
Even the icon painter must be a special person, dedicated to a holy life, a God-filled life. Before picking up a brush to begin painting, prayer and fasting are necessary as proper bodily preparations. The icon painter should know and love the Scriptures; the icon painter should be a worshipper of great devotion and depth - knowing and living his life in God, so that he may properly portray what life in God is all about.
The Icon and Prayer
Judging from all that has been said, the icon takes us beyond the "good-looking" picture placed on a wall to decorate a room. The icon is an object of prayer. Because it communicates God to us, we stand before it in awe and love. God turns his face toward us and we now face him and address him in prayer. Our churches are filled with icons so as to re-create heaven on earth. In worship and liturgy, the icon has its proper place as a manifestation of God. Even icons of saints, because of their God-filled lives, lead us to the perfect icon, Jesus the Christ-God. The visible presence of these holy men and women remind us of the invisible presence of the heavenly courts. All the icons in the church, properly arranged, form one great icon of the Kingdom of God.
In our homes icons should have a similar importance. Since the family is the nucleus or core of Christian life, the home should show the transfigured actions of its inhabitants. A special corner, usually the Eastern corner of the family room or sitting room is reserved as the "icon corner." It is here that are placed the icons of Christ, his holy Mother, the saints after whom the family members are named, the holy cross of the Lord and the Bible or at least the Gospel. Each icon corner has a vigil candle constantly burning to indicate the perpetual presence of God within the home. This lamp may be a hanging type or a vigil candle lamp. An incense burner, holy water, holy oil and other religious objects rest in this special place also.
It is at the icon corner that the family gathers in group prayer; it is here that an individual places his praise to God and prayers of petition. Standing with arms outstretched and palms opened in a gesture of humble begging, we pray before the presence of God in the icon.
When we approach an icon, we bow and sign ourselves with the cross; we kiss the icon with our lips as we would kiss anyone we love. We bow again as a sign of our being touched by holiness. Our actions speak and show that the presence of God is real in humanity.
Matter is "spirit bearing." God is transmitted and manifested through matter, his life is seen and lived. Because of this ineffable presence the entire universe, humanity at its best, becomes a living icon and reality of God. God meets man in nature and shares his presence with us. The icon is one special way of portraying this great truth.