HAVE WE FORGOTTEN THE 7TH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL? ERRORS CONCERNING THE WORSHIP OF THE ICONS IN CONTEMPORARY ROMANIAN LITURGICAL PRACTICE
HAVE WE FORGOTTEN THE 7TH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL? ERRORS CONCERNING THE WORSHIP OF THE ICONS IN CONTEMPORARY ROMANIAN LITURGICAL PRACTICE

Summary/Abstract: In marked contrast to the orthodox theology and practice of worshiping holyicons, as taught by the Church as a result of the iconoclastic debate in8thcentury (Nicaea, 787), Romanian Christians attitudes and practices todayare not only erroneous, but sometimes even contradict the decisions andteaching of the Holy Fathers. These deviations also have affected the currentlypractice of worshiping. For example, the Euchologion endorsed for theRomanian Church today stipulates that icons are blessed in a liturgicalservice (I think can be used both words; during , but also through), althoughthis was rejected by the Fathers and by usual customs of the 8th century.Another misunderstanding of the Tradition spirit in the official worship of theChurch are irregularities in Christians’ private life of faith. Various practiceshere seem to reflect ideas which are not in line with the doctrine of theOrthodox Church. For example, many faithful place the icons in their homesto hinge on the dimensions of the wall and not always on the east side walls ofthe house. Sometimes they arrange icons in a way that makes it impossible totouch and kiss them, thus deviating from what the most important Fathers whodefended the worship of icons have prescribed. Sometimes the faithfulintermingle family pictures with their icons, thus misleading onlookers tostipulate a misplaced “holiness” for such family members.

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