‘Introduction to the Theology of Icons’, lecture given at the Faculty of Theology, University of...
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Introduction in the Theology of Icons Vladimir Cvetkovic Copenhagen 26.11.2008
Transcript of ‘Introduction to the Theology of Icons’, lecture given at the Faculty of Theology, University of...
Introduction in the Theology of Icons
Vladimir CvetkovicCopenhagen 26.11.2008
Content1. Introduction: What is
the icon and what is the theology of icon?
2. The Historical development of the theology of icon – Iconoclast controversy of 8th and 9th century.
3. The eschatological perspective of icons
4. The elements of icon5. The depictions of
Christ, angels and the saints
The definition: What is the icon?
“Icons are any
representation of Christ, the Mother of God, or the saints and angels, or the Cross made of colours, pebbles, or any material that is fit, set in the holy churches of God, on holy utensils and vestments on walls and boards, in houses and in the streets” (Seventh Ecumenical Council)
What is the theology of icon?
The theological issue of the theology of icons = the Incarnation of the Second person of the Holy Trinity
Historical development of the theology of icon
82 canon of the Quinisext Council (Council of Trullo) of 691-2 Anthropomorphic representation of Christ
The iconoclast crisis of 8th and 9th century
The first period of iconoclasm 726-787
The Seventh Ecumenical Council (Nicaea II) of 787
The second period of iconoclasm 815-842
The Synod of 842 and the Synodicon of Orthodoxy
The first period of iconoclasm Iconophile figurers: Patriarch Germanos of Constantinople, John Damascene
Sources
Patriarch Germanos, Epistulae John Damascene, Three Orations in the
defence of the holy images George of Cyprus, Nouthesia Gerontes or
The Warning of the Elder Concerning the Holy Images
John of Jerusalem, Adversus Constantinium Caballinum
Acts of the Seventh Ecumenical Council
The second period of iconoclasm
Iconophile figurers Nichiphorus of Constantinople Theodore the Studite Theodore Abu Qurrah
Sources
Nichiphorus, Antirrhetici tres adversus constantium
Theodore the Studite, Antirrhetici tres adversus iconomachus
Synodikon of Orthodoxy Theodore Abu Qurrah, A Treatise on the
Veneration of the Holy Icons
The eschatological perspective of icons
The eschaton is in the Incarnation
Eucharist and iconography
The elements of Icon
inverse perspective multi-point perspective radiance divine and profane time flatness, isometry garments
The inverse perspective
Central perspective
Inverse perspective
The multi-point perspective
Radiance
Divine and profane time
Flatness
Isometry
Garments
Depictions
Jesus Christ
Depictions
Angels
Depictions
Saints
The Mother of God
Holy hierarchs
The holy martyrs
Holy teachers
The holy warriors
The holy ascetics and hermits
The holy physicians
The signs of historical life – St Augustine
pallium book Roman tonsure
Eschatology unites
The depiction of the sensible nature
Conclusion
The icon is an invitation to us to see the holiness of God upon every person, but also to see ourselves through the inversed perspective as rejoicing with Christ and other saints in the future Kingdom
