Justin Johnson Icons Quotations

Part of the function of icons is for private devotional purposes. Early in the church's history, icons made it easier for worshipers to understand biblical themes and stories, as they could not read. Icons also create an atmosphere that enhances the worship and act as constant reminders of the divine.

Traditional icons are actually written, meaning that the artist meditates seriously and privately, in some cases for hours, before beginning. This puts the artist in a specific frame of mind and soul. The goal is for the Holy Spirit to guide the way the artist writes the work itself. Very rarely does the artist sign their name. (The work is) done anonymously as a devotion to God. Traditionally, only natural materials should be used in the production, such as pigments that bring the actual work closer to nature, and to God.

The misconception is that icons are worshipped when in actuality they are venerated, a way of making an environment more conducive for worshipping. This is how the Orthodox Church supports the creation and use of icons within the church.