What's so bad about Monastery Icons?

[JMJ_coder]

That would be odd, since Patchunky is Byzantine Catholic. I actually had heard something to the effect that the confusion regarding “writing” icons comes from the words for writing and painting being the same in some language, maybe it was Russian?

In Greek, the word or ‘painting’ and ‘writing’ are the same - graphikos (right ending?). Hence iconography can be translated as both ‘icon painting’ and ‘icon writing’. But, I have heard Orthodox - even iconographers - refer to it as both painting and writing.

To me, writing seems to be the better term, since it is an action of ‘writing’ the Gospels onto the icon.

 

[Patchunky]

Sounds like blasphemy to me. I believe it would be better to say ‘you do not choose the icon, God chooses what icon you pray.’

Do you have proof of this Catholic claim or is it just another Eastern Orthodox bashing Catholics?

When we paint an ikon, we always make sure that the ears are painted so that the Saint on the ikon can hear our prayers. Why wouldn’t that Saint also choose who was to get his/her ikon?

Well, in my ikon classes, it’s only the Roman Catholics and Anglicans who insist on saying they’re “writing” an ikon. The Eastern Cathoics and Orthodox all say they’re painting an ikon…

Why would I want to bash Catholics since I’m Catholic myself or are you one of “those” who does not consider Eastern Catholics to be “Catholic”??

 

[Nicholas82]

When we paint an ikon, we always make sure that the ears are painted so that the Saint on the ikon can hear our prayers. Why wouldn’t that Saint also choose who was to get his/her ikon?

Well, in my ikon classes, it’s only the Roman Catholics and Anglicans who insist on saying they’re “writing” an ikon. The Eastern Cathoics and Orthodox all say they’re painting an ikon…

Why would I want to bash Catholics since I’m Catholic myself or are you one of “those” who does not consider Eastern Catholics to be “Catholic”??

It was probably explained to them that way and they’re probably just trying to show what they believe to be the proper respect to the process. When I first discovered iconography as a Roman Catholic I noticed various sources making the distinction that icons are referred to as being “written”, although I was aware that many think such a distinction is unnecessary.

 

[Patchunky]

It was probably explained to them that way and they’re probably just trying to show what they believe to be the proper respect to the process. When I first discovered iconography as a Roman Catholic I noticed various sources making the distinction that icons are referred to as being “written”, although I was aware that many think such a distinction is unnecessary.

The problem seems to be the literal translation of the Russian word IKONPISATIL, which means ikonographer. When literally translated, IKON - ikon and PISATIL - writer, you get ikon-writer.

Thus, one of the problems with the English language…

 

[GemmaRose]

The problem seems to be the literal translation of the Russian word IKONPISATIL, which means ikonographer. When literally translated, IKON - ikon and PISATIL - writer, you get ikon-writer.

Thus, one of the problems with the English language…

Thank you for this explanation. It finally makes sense to me, why the two different words are used.

I wish I knew as much about icons as you do.

God bless.

 

[CathMass]

If one were to buy a monastery icon from a Catholic bookstore or from them directly, would it still be “cursed” if it was blessed by a priest?

 

[CathMass]

That’s interesting! My friend used to work in a Catholic bookstore which sells some icons, and he said once an Orthodox monk or brother came in the store and when he saw the icons they were selling, told them they were “cursed.” I guess this is what he was referring to.

If one were to buy a monastery icon from a Catholic bookstore or from Monastery Icons directly, would it still be a “cursed” icon if it was blessed by a priest?

 

[bpbasilphx]

It is just as appropriate to say that icons are painted, as the Greek word “grapheo” can mean “to paint” as well.