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It is important to kiss holy icons or images, as this is a sign of respect, in the same way that we kiss a picture of our mother, father, husband, wife or children, to show the respect that we have for our loved ones. When we kiss a photo or picture of a family member or loved one, we are not woshipping them and we are not kissing the paper or wood or glass of the photo or frame. In the same way, when we kiss an icon of the holy saints, we are not kissing the physical material of the icon, but rather, we are showing respect and honour towards the person who is represented in the icon. Orthodox Christians often kiss, respect, venerate and honour icons, but they do not woship icons. Orthodox Christians only worship God. The Bible has many examples of how holy icons were used as an aid to worshipping God, even in Old Testament times. For example, when God commanded Moses to make images of cherubim angels for the Temple "In the Most Holy Place he made two cherubim..." (2Chronicles 3:10). So when we kiss an icon of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is as though we are kissing Christ Himself. Jesus does not condemn this practice, but rather sees it as an act of respect, just like He did with the sinful woman in the Bible: "You gave me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss my feet since the time I came in." (Luke 7:45)
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoBecause kissing is a sign of respect, just like when you kiss a picture of your mother, father, or child.
Icons are not worshipped, they are venerated (meaning honoured) by commemorating the memory of a saint. By venerating icons we ask for the saints to pray to God for us, because we know that God hears all prayers, but especially the prayers of his saints, as we read in Revelation 5:8 and in Revelation 8:3-4 "…the prayers of the saints, ascended before God…"
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What percent of Greeks are christian orthodox today?
Ninety-seven percent are Eastern Orthodox.
Many Eastern Orthodox icons are made of?
mosaics
Are Orthodox Greeks Jewish?
Greek Orthodox is a denomination in Christianity.
What to civilizations did artisans produce icons?
eastern orthodox and roman
What is an orthodox iconostasis for?
Iconostasis translates into Icon Screen. Most Orthodox households have some sort of Iconostasis where the family places icons, incense, and other religious items. Iconostasis is also the name for the icons in front of the altar in an Orthodox Church.
Are Greeks called Orthodox's?
no they are called greek one is only orthodox if they follow the orthodox religion
What was the religion of the Greeks?
Greek Orthodox.
How do Christians use icons to help them pray?
Only Catholic and Orthodox Churches use statues and pictures of Jesus or of the saints to help them pray. Protestant Churches do not, considering the use of icons akin to idolatory.
Does the Greek orthodox have image inside?
Yes. The most distinctive feature of Orthodox churches is that their walls are covered with icons of the saints.
What do you call the sacred pictures of eastern orthodox church?
They are called Holy Icons
How did the use of religious art become the center of controversy in the eastern orthodox church?
Non-Orthodox rulers believed the Orthodox were worshiping the icons and thus sought to destroy them.
Do Greeks currently worship Helios?
Ah, come on! Greeks are Greek-Orthodox Christians.
