Icons have been honored in Russia since ancient times. Every Russian house had at least one. “Here is God, here is the doorstep,” they said to uninvited guests, pointing to the Icon. But it is necessary to worship not the icon, but the image on it. This tradition began in the second century and spread after the adoption of the dogma of icon worship, approved at the Seventh Ecumenical Council.
A religious artistic image has a huge meaning: it teaches faith and brings grace. Iconography is called a blessing in colors, a picturesque gospel, a wordless sermon. All this very fully reflects the meaning of the holy image.
Meaning of icons for a Christian
The life of a Christian is not conceivable without images of saints. They accompany him from birth to death. The spouses pray that God will send them children in front of the face of the Mother of God. The infant is given an image of the saint in whose honor he was named at baptism. A mother prays in front of the icon for the health and well-being of her child.
When we offer morning and evening prayers, we do this in front of the holy faces. Icons of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Mother of God are available in every believer’s home. The icon is called a picturesque Gospel. And not by chance. They often depict entire scenes from the life of Jesus and the saints. It is important not only to see but also to “hear” the Message addressed to a person.
Neither the baptism, nor the wedding, nor the funeral of a believer can be done without icons. They bless and overshadow with their grace. They accompany people at home and in the temple.
Many images of the holy faces are real works of art. Andrei Rublev’s “Trinity”, the Don Icon of the Mother of God, the Sign of the Most Holy Theotokos, and many other masterpieces of Christian painting are known all over the world.
Traditionally, icons are placed in a special corner. But it will not be a mistake to place them all over the house: in the living room, bedroom, in the kitchen, where the family takes food. After all, prayers are best said in front of the image, directed at it.
Icons are usually made of wood. Linden, pine, spruce, alder, beech, and other types of wood are used. The composition of paints on a natural basis. For gilding, gold leaf is used. Currently, there are ready-made compositions.
From other materials, the base for the images are metals: copper, bronze, gold, silver. As well as linen and beads. Embroidery of holy images is becoming increasingly popular.
Where is the best place to buy religious attributes?
There are many shops selling church goods on the Internet. But not all of them meet the requirements. You can buy a substandard product, and most importantly – it does not correspond to the canons of the church.
The Orthodox Art Corporation produces icons by hand, from natural materials. Only Orthodox people work here. When starting work, they say a blessing prayer.
We have our online store. You can order:
- icons;
- icon cases;
- diptychs.
There is a system of discounts, especially before church holidays. Free shipping. You can buy the product wholesale and retail.
