princessgianna Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 [b][font="Lucida Sans Unicode"]I used to think that Icons were not only boring but useless! A thanks to Apotheoun! Ever since this past Easter-I have an ever growing appreciation for icons! Today I was at a local Monastery Bake Sale and they have the "no Calorie table" which held rosaries, little devotions ,a few other religious items. Glancing at the table I noticed an icon of Mary with what appeares to be Jesus in her womb. Being excited at such a discovering I got it! I am very excited. Looking at the beautiful Icon - I have a growing appreciation for Icons - and what they hold! Thanks again! PG~ [/font][/b] It is similar to this icon! [img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DpYpcK4mftQ/R2QRzs_dgwI/AAAAAAAAAH0/ZQzoNz80uUQ/s400/Icon%20of%20Our%20Lady%20of%20the%20Sign.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resurrexi Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Icons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apotheoun Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 (edited) princessgianna, The icon you are referring to is sometimes called the "Theotokos Blachernitissa" or the "Theotokos Platytera" and is normally found in the apse of the Church . . . directly above the holy altar, which is behind the iconostas. In English the icon is normally called "Our Lady of the Sign" and it is focused primarily upon the mystery of the incarnation of the eternal Logos, but not merely upon the historical occurrence of the incarnation two thousands years ago, but upon the truth that Christ becomes incarnated in every human being through the holy mysteries (sacraments) and the Orthodox worship of the divine majesty during the liturgy. In the icon the Theotokos stands for the created world, while also acting as the bridge between the created and the uncreated, for it is through her [i]fiat[/i] that the uncreated Logos enters into His creation in order to divinize mankind and the whole created cosmic order. It is a very beautiful and theologically important icon. God grant you many joyful years, Todd Edited May 3, 2009 by Apotheoun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominicansoul Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 [img]http://fatherstephen.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/129963405_301bb0765b2.jpg[/img] this is one of my favorite icons. I love it's title, "The Bridegroom" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apotheoun Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I do not know anything about this icon, because I have never seen it before, but I will look through some of the books I have on icons to see if any information is given about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominicansoul Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 thanx! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apotheoun Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 (edited) Neither of my two main books on icons show any pictures of this icon. Nevertheless, I believe it may be connected to what is sometimes called "Bridegroom Matins" which are sung on Holy Monday (and perhaps throughout Great and Holy Week), and -- if that is the case -- that may be when this icon would be displayed on the tetrapod in the center of the Church, usually in front of the Holy Doors of the iconostas (or perhaps at some other appropriate place in the temple). Edited May 4, 2009 by Apotheoun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Era Might Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 [quote name='dominicansoul' post='1856765' date='May 3 2009, 07:13 PM']I love it's title, "The Bridegroom"[/quote] That's an interesting title. It casts an unexpected light on the meaning of the icon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apotheoun Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 (edited) The icon depicts Christ during His scourging. Edited May 4, 2009 by Apotheoun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffpugh Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Icons are one of the most important sacramentals to me (if I may dare to call them that) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apotheoun Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 [quote name='Sacred Music Man' post='1856855' date='May 3 2009, 07:35 PM']Icons are one of the most important sacramentals to me (if I may dare to call them that)[/quote] You can call them that. In the East we call icons "mysteries" (i.e., sacraments). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffpugh Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 [quote name='Apotheoun' post='1856863' date='May 3 2009, 09:48 PM']You can call them that. In the East we call icons "mysteries" (i.e., sacraments).[/quote] I was going to throw in the word mystery too, but I knew that meant sacrament. I have no problem with that though Visible sign of invisible grace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princessgianna Posted May 4, 2009 Author Share Posted May 4, 2009 [quote name='Apotheoun' post='1856727' date='May 3 2009, 06:44 PM']princessgianna, The icon you are referring to is sometimes called the "Theotokos Blachernitissa" or the "Theotokos Platytera" and is normally found in the apse of the Church . . . directly above the holy altar, which is behind the iconostas. In English the icon is normally called "Our Lady of the Sign" and it is focused primarily upon the mystery of the incarnation of the eternal Logos, but not merely upon the historical occurrence of the incarnation two thousands years ago, but upon the truth that Christ becomes incarnated in every human being through the holy mysteries (sacraments) and the Orthodox worship of the divine majesty during the liturgy. In the icon the Theotokos stands for the created world, while also acting as the bridge between the created and the uncreated, for it is through her [i]fiat[/i] that the uncreated Logos enters into His creation in order to divinize mankind and the whole created cosmic order. It is a very beautiful and theologically important icon. God grant you many joyful years, Todd[/quote] Wow thanks again for that info! From another class i know that Thotokos is greek for "mother of God" God Bless Gianna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resurrexi Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Theotokos technically means God-bearer. There is another Greek phrase that translates literally to "Mother of God." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innocent Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 (edited) Thanks for creating this topic, princessgianna. I too have been thinking of Icons lately after reading Apotheoun's Easter post and also since I read this quote by St. John Damascene: ""Show me the icons that you venerate, that I may be able to understand your faith." I have some questions: Can a person venerate an Icon through the internet? (i.e., if there's a photo or even a live video stream, like the one from Saviour.org - I know we actually cannot adore the Eucharist through that live stream - but I meant, if such a live video of an Icon existed, could one venerate the Icon through the video stream?) If I find a high-resolution photo of an Icon on the internet, am I allowed to download it, get it printed and laminated and hang it up on the wall of my home? Or are the hand [s]drawn[/s] written versions the only versions that may be used and venerated? I have seen on some websites that there exist [url="http://www.allmercifulsavior.com/icons/Western.html"]Icons of Western Saints[/url] as well. Has anyone here come across an Icon of St. Josemaria Escriva so far? Edited May 4, 2009 by Innocent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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