Comments on: The Image of God the Father in Orthodox Iconography

By: God the Father in Orthodox Iconography | Christian Ecopoetics and Apologetic Theology

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 11:02:31 +0000

[…] Basically, the controversy has centered around whether portrayal of God the Father as the “Lord of Hosts” or “Ancient of Days” in much Orthodox iconography found in Eastern lands (particularly Russia but also in Greece in centuries following the Fall of Constantinople) is non-canonical or even heretical. Some view the Ancient of Days figure as being properly of Christ, as explained further here. […]

By: Prior Rob

Prior Rob — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 22:02:20 +0000

I find your website and your works to be so very beautiful, you all are a real gift of God to the world.
My comment about an icon of the Father being unable to be painted because He is unseen is that when we experience the Father He is either Uncreate or discernible with Uncreate mind given to us by the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. I know Him most assuredly, but were I to paint Him in an icon using the farthest reach of discernment I could make it would always still be simply a point of faith contact for me. The Uncreate God has no form, only presence in Light. Still, any reminded of the Father has His blessing and presence with it. We have a candle burning in our Sanctuary of the Unseen Father and it is devoted specifically to Him. We touch it, draw our fingers to our lips and kiss them as a holy kiss to and from the Father Himself, while in spirit we fellowship with Him in Person. His grace allows us this joy and this privilege, to boldly approach Him and to sit on His throne as the Lord Jesus sits on His throne and shares with us all that he is and has. When we know the Father as our Father, and that He knows us as His children, we know our deification in him in Spirit.

By: Editor

Editor — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 18:01:39 +0000

In reply to Paul Azkoul. Greetings! At the Moscow Synod of 1554, where the depiction of God the Father was prohibited, there were also cases stated when an exception could be made, when depicting not a likeness of a real appearance, but figurative image, based on scripture and tradition.

By: Paul Azkoul

Paul Azkoul — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 01:44:47 +0000

Greetings again
If as you say, “we do not know what he looks like”, how is it possible to portray Him in the Trinity? As well, the Holy Spirit only appeared in certian events but not as Himself. He appeared in the “form” of a dove at the theophony but not “as” a dove. He did not become a dove. He also appeared as the almond shaped cloud behind Christ at the Transfiguration, and as pillars of fire above the apostles heads at pentacost and the form of a pillar of fire in the old testament when Moses and Israel crossed the red sea. No father or ecumenical Council permits There depiction because they are Uncircumscribable. God the Father can not be said to be forbidden to be painted in icons and then contradict yourself and say “except for one exception”, the Trinity. One exception opens the door to allows Him to be delineated. It is a complete contradiction. He has either been seen or He has not. It can not be both. If God the Father can be depicted here then He can bee depicted there.

By: Paul Azkouil

Paul Azkouil — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 01:34:44 +0000

Greetings
Please provide the canon recognized the Orthodox Church you claim permits the depiction of the Trinity.