The liturgical dimension of the Byzantine icon in the economy of salvation
The liturgical dimension of the Byzantine icon in the economy of salvation

Summary/Abstract: Liturgical art, to the extent to which it remains tied to liturgical worship, can be assessed both as: beauty coming from the first beauty and mystery; it does not hide but reveals. The purpose of the Holy Icons in addition to the confession of the church dogmas, along with the mystical experience is undoubtedly the call or standing invitation to prayer. For the Orthodox Church, the Icon is an expression of righteous confession of faith and an integral part of the liturgical space, videlicet of the Church and an essential element in the actual act of prayer. The icon is neither an absolute, nor an annex, but a continuous and complete expression of faith and proclamation of the divine economy. For that reason, the life in Christ, whom we worship in the icons is not a utopia, but a reality and therefore icons of the saints do not have a decorative role in the Church, but they express the conviction that holiness is within the reach of all men. Liturgy, together with the entire Orthodox liturgical ensemble, and liturgical art are two values that, within celebrating worship, make up a unique reality. Their very close connection is revealed by the fact that while the former is trying to discover the spiritual world, the latter depicts this spiritual world in colours and shapes accessible to all. We can say that the very structure of the Church is directly determined by the Holy Liturgy, but the Holy Liturgy also determines the iconographic apparatus: the frescos and the icons are directly involved in liturgical performance, beyond any decorative and aesthetic function. And, from this point of view, the Byzantine icon may be called a theological synopsis and a theology in images.

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