Icons as windows into heaven

[MarcusAndreas]

I’m perfectly fine with the idea that icons are windows into heaven that make present the saint in an above-ordinary way. I just want to know how this is supposed to work, etc.

Does the icon have to be written a certain way for this? As in, does it have to be written on wood? I have icons that appear to be printed images of icons on paper and laminated, are these less so icons then one on wood or metal?

I’m really confused, can someone help me?

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

Printed icons are fine. In fact, I’ve heard rumors of some “weeping” printed icons. As far as the whole “windows onto heaven” analogy, don’t give it much credence. Check out OLTV’s website (oltv.tv) for information about videos on icons. We have several talks and programs by Prof. Richard Schneider (the iconology professor at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary [and incidentally an avid opponent of the whole “windows onto heaven” analogy]), some lectures by Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia on the holy icons, a couple of talks by Fr. Tom Loya (a Byzantine Catholic priest and iconographer), as well as a wonderful lecture by Fr. Andrej Chirovsky (a Ukrainian Catholic priest, and professor of liturgy and iconology at the Metropolitan Andrej Sheptytsky Institute). Check these out, if you have time; buy a program or two, if you have money. I highly recommend the “Great Feasts” series done by Prof. Richard Schneider.

 

[MarcusAndreas]

So it’s not actually a credible idea? I can live with that.

Can I have some more details?

Would it be more accurate to say that icons are holy images of the holy that are to be treated reverently as you would other sacramentals but not elevated to a status such as the previously described?

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

So it’s not actually a credible idea? I can live with that.

Can I have some more details?

Would it be more accurate to say that icons are holy images of the holy that are to be treated reverently as you would other sacramentals but not elevated to a status such as the previously described?

I’ll have to watch some of Prof. Schneider’s videos again before I can give you more details. Although he still isn’t completely in favor of the analogy, he prefers saying that icons are “doorways” because it implies action on our part, whereas the window imagery, apart from not being Patristic, is also completely passive.