Are Oriental Icons acceptable in True Orthodoxy?

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Justice
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Are Oriental Icons acceptable in True Orthodoxy?

Post by Justice »

Can Coptic or any or their Oriental Orthodox icon be venerated or is this not allowed.

Justice
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Re: Are Oriental Icons acceptable in True Orthodoxy?

Post by Justice »

I still don't know the answer to this question, so ill ask it again, can Ethiopian Orthodox icons be venerated int he True Orthodox church if blessed by a priest?

d9popov
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Re: Are Oriental Icons acceptable in True Orthodoxy?

Post by d9popov »

Some “Oriental Orthodox” icons might be acceptable to be venerated by true Orthodox Christians; some definitely cannot be venerated. For example, the Copts, Ethiopians, Eritreans, and probably other Monophysites make icons of Dioscurus, who the Orthodox Church has decreed to be "hateful to God." Such an icon should never be venerated by an Orthodox Christian.

If you currently own an “Oriental Orthodox” icon and it is Orthodox in content, you might be able to venerate it. But if a church or person wants to purchase an icon, they should focus on the most-traditional Orthodox styles, without deviation.

As I wrote on the western-type icon thread: there are many icons that depart from Holy Tradition to various degrees. Bishops must use good spiritual judgment on these. There is no excuse, today, for purchasing icons that depart from Holy Tradition. Traditional icons are easy to find if one knows what to look for. Read Cavarnos's two volumes for guidance.

There are divergent customs on “blessing” icons. Some Church Fathers taught that icons are santified after being painted and after the name is written on it; the icons can then be venerated without any further prayer. Later, some prayers were developed for icons.

What is important is that the person is a genuine Orthodox saint (not Dioscurus, not Francis of Assisi, not Martin Luther King Jr.) and that they style is a traditional Orthodox style. Who the painter was is of less importance.

Justice
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Re: Are Oriental Icons acceptable in True Orthodoxy?

Post by Justice »

d9popov wrote:

Some “Oriental Orthodox” icons might be acceptable to be venerated by true Orthodox Christians; some definitely cannot be venerated. For example, the Copts, Ethiopians, Eritreans, and probably other Monophysites make icons of Dioscurus, who the Orthodox Church has decreed to be "hateful to God." Such an icon should never be venerated by an Orthodox Christian.

If you currently own an “Oriental Orthodox” icon and it is Orthodox in content, you might be able to venerate it. But if a church or person wants to purchase an icon, they should focus on the most-traditional Orthodox styles, without deviation.

As I wrote on the western-type icon thread: there are many icons that depart from Holy Tradition to various degrees. Bishops must use good spiritual judgment on these. There is no excuse, today, for purchasing icons that depart from Holy Tradition. Traditional icons are easy to find if one knows what to look for. Read Cavarnos's two volumes for guidance.

There are divergent customs on “blessing” icons. Some Church Fathers taught that icons are santified after being painted and after the name is written on it; the icons can then be venerated without any further prayer. Later, some prayers were developed for icons.

What is important is that the person is a genuine Orthodox saint (not Dioscurus, not Francis of Assisi, not Martin Luther King Jr.) and that they style is a traditional Orthodox style. Who the painter was is of less importance.

Thank you d9popov, I really like some Neo Coptic and Ethiopian icons there's just something about the simple style of art that's amazing.I hope they are acceptable. :)

These are some of the icons I would like to venerate:

Image

Image
This one I have my doubts as the way Christ's hand is portrayed. Doesn't this represent Monophysitism Image

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Maria
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Re: Are Oriental Icons acceptable in True Orthodoxy?

Post by Maria »

Yes, those are lovely icons.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.

Justice
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Re: Are Oriental Icons acceptable in True Orthodoxy?

Post by Justice »

I have doubts on the last one as I've heard the way Christ fingers are portrayed represents Monophysitism, is this true? Also I'm still getting used to the fact that it's ok to venerate icons made by Roman Catholics and Monophysites, but I'll get used to it in time.

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Maria
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Re: Are Oriental Icons acceptable in True Orthodoxy?

Post by Maria »

Justice wrote:

I have doubts on the last one as I've heard the way Christ fingers are portrayed represents Monophysitism, is this true? Also I'm still getting used to the fact that it's ok to venerate icons made by Roman Catholics and Monophysites, but I'll get used to it in time.

Certain "icons" made by Roman Catholics are not to be venerated, such as ones depicting Martin Luther, Teresa of Calcutta, John-Paul II, Francis of Assisi, etc. These are post-schism people, and certainly not saints recognized by the Orthodox Church.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.

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