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Mar 15
Written By Ksenia Sapunkova
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A discorse in iconography
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Teaching about icons
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The Meaning of Icons
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Veneration of Icons
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In Defence of Icons
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Orthodox Iconography
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Testimony in Favour of Images
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Apologia of Saint John Damascene
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Liturgical Renewal
Ksenia Sapunkova

Stylization

Stylization poses the patron saint in a heroic manner. Unless a recent photograph exists, there is no attempt to depict the person's actual likeness. Traditionally the image of a saint is painted the same way for many, many years. This is how we know that Saint Peter had white hair and a white beard, and why he is always easily recognized in church.

Stylization also prevents the face of the saint from resembling someone you know, which would create a personal association that lessens your relationship with the image. It would be difficult to venerate an icon of the Virgin Mary if she looked like your aunt Matilda. General attributes such as a short or long white beard are acceptable.

In modern times, especially since photography, real images of a patron may exist, for example Saint John of Shanghai. Even then, it is important to keep a generalized, Byzantine depiction.

Space and perspective

The space in an icon is very shallow, so attention goes to the image and not to the background, unless a background is absolutely necessary. In the Byzantine style, perspective is deliberately speculative. It creates a supra-image that points to a supra-reality, a timelessness not subject to the rules of the physical world but ruled by the supernatural.

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Traditional byzantine icons for your church and home

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