5 End-of-week questions
You can now try to answer the following questions and check your learning:
Question 1
What is an icon?
Answer
Icons are the most important vehicle / aid for worship for the faithful of the Christian Orthodox faith. They depict the divine, without being idols, but rather presenting to the faithful its ‘true’ likeness. They offer a window through which the faithful can get a glimpse into Heaven. They can be of any medium and size.
Question 2
Where can icons be found?
Answer
Icons can be found within the sacred space of a Byzantine Orthodox Church, as well as in secular spaces, both public and private. Their popularity as a visual aid to worship means that they could also find their way into non-Orthodox private households (e.g., Catholic).
Question 3
What are the functions of icons?
Answer
The function of an icon is primarily religious, regardless of the space they are put in: they guide the faithful to a spiritual world, away from nature and its laws. Icons are windows which help the faithful visualise salvation. While their primary role is not decorative, they could nevertheless be appreciated for their accomplished craftmanship, as the two are not mutually exclusive.
Question 4
Why are icons important?
Answer
For the Orthodox faithful, icons are important because they help visualise divine nature – effectively they depict the invisible. They offer a window which facilitates and enhances worship.