Wednesday, February 9, 2011

On the proper place of icons

Apologies for my imperfect transcription. This quote prompted me to purchase Fr. Gabriel Bunge's Earthen Vessels: The Practice of Personal Prayer According to the Patristic Tradition. I expect to be quoting from that book as well shortly.

"The icon's purpose is liturgical. It is an integral part of liturgical space, which is the church. And an indispensable participant in divine services. The icon is essentially by no means an image intended for private devotional veneration," writes Fr. Gabriel Bunge. "It's theological place is primarily the liturgy in which the message of the word is complemented by the message of the icon. Outside church and liturgy the icon largely loses its meaning. Certainly every Christian has the right to hang an icon at home, but he has this right only in so far as his home is a continuation of the church and his life a continuation of the liturgy. [emphasis added]"

- Met. Hilarion (Alfeyev)

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