Slideshow image

In the year 787 a council was called in the city of Nicaea, modern day Turkey, to resolve the horrible heresy of iconoclasm.  The council was called by the Empress Irene (legate) to Constantine VI. Patriarch Tarasios of Constantinople presided over the council. In attendance were 308 bishops from the East and two legates of Pope Adrian I. In total 350 are said to have attended the council. The council once and for all defeated iconoclasm. In short the council decreed that the veneration of icons is not at all “worship of idols” but rather expressed the truth of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. That all things under heaven visible to the human eye could be depicted. Honor is not given the painted wooden board but rather to the prototype depicted. On the first Sunday of Lent in the year 843, the Empress Theodora and her son the Emperor Michael venerated the Holy icons together with assembled clergy. From that time on, the church has celebrated the first Sunday of Lent as the Triumph of Orthodoxy – the truth of who Jesus Christ is triumphed over the evil of denying the incarnation. I want all Orthodox to be proud that our faith is indeed correct as it is given to us by God. The icons inspire not only truth but also add tremendous beauty to our churches and inspire all who gaze upon the icons to contemplate the beauty of God’s creation. We adorn not only our churches but also our homes with the Holy icons. Have icons of Christ, the Virgin Mary and your favorite saints in your home. Pray before them and may they inspire you to virtue, strength and piety! As in the year 843 – today we publicly continue to show the truth of our faith by walking in procession today carrying our icons.