Orthodoxy without venerating icons?

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File: a7b34a0134595ce⋯.jpg (165.58 KB, 1000x788, 250:197, andrei-rublev-1966-005-rub….jpg)

Orthodoxy without venerating icons? Christanon 01/26/18 (Fri) 12:26:33 6b5980 No.594300

I really like nearly everything about the Orthodox but I just can't get into icons, specifically, I can't see myself ever venerating them, touching, kissing or praying to them. I don't mind having them around but I have to confess to an icon? Feels weird, man.

Christanon 01/26/18 (Fri) 12:59:06 6b5980 No.594313

I may have answered my own question. I guess the Orthodox argument is that icons are only a reminder of the physical presence of Christ/Biblical events. We pray/confess in the presence of icons, we don't pray/confess to the icon. Am I wrong?

Christanon 01/26/18 (Fri) 13:13:01 716c62 No.594329

>>594300

Never heard of anyone confessing to an icon at my church. i just kiss it and do the sign of the cross

Christanon 01/26/18 (Fri) 13:33:26 24fd17 No.594344

>>594300

>I have to confess to an icon?

What?

Christanon 01/26/18 (Fri) 14:29:11 ffecf1 No.594369

File: e54c37b794dfee4⋯.jpg (210.97 KB, 1321x1082, 1321:1082, triumph_of_orthodoxy.jpg)

>>594313

https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/basis/johndamascus-images.asp

Christanon 01/26/18 (Fri) 14:35:12 4f5969 No.594373

>>594300

you pray through them not "to" them, they are like windows or portals, you use them to direct your mind to higher things, you don't dwell on them per se.

Christanon 01/26/18 (Fri) 15:01:16 6b5980 No.594383

>>594344

>>594329

During Ortho confession, don't you stand in front of the icon of Christ?

Christanon 01/26/18 (Fri) 15:05:18 6b5980 No.594384

>>594369

I roughly know all the arguments for them, it's just that I don't really feel the need to use them but I'm not sure if I can be a practicing Orthodox and completely ignore icons. I would never bitch about it or think others are wrong for doing so, but I guess if I had to pray in the presence of something I'd do a cross.

I should probably visit my local Ortho church and inquire.

tl;dr is there a path to theosis in Orthodoxy without the presence of icons?

Christanon 01/26/18 (Fri) 16:33:40 72eab4 No.594411

>>594384

Yes, they are not necessary for salvation. They are helpful and will get you to theosis faster though.

Christanon 01/26/18 (Fri) 16:41:00 6b5980 No.594415

>>594411

um, thanks, Cathobro?

Christanon 01/26/18 (Fri) 16:59:41 703f13 No.594425

File: 9dd9f0ecfc3456b⋯.png (32.63 KB, 281x258, 281:258, Untitled.png)

orthodoxy had a few periods where the use of icons were prohibited.

every time the practice was brought back was by the authority of a woman.

https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconoclasm

Christanon 01/26/18 (Fri) 20:46:55 08c405 No.594552

File: dcb90e48b3d5293⋯.jpg (78.96 KB, 612x461, 612:461, 463979663.jpg)

>>594383

>During Ortho confession, don't you stand in front of the icon of Christ?

Depends.

Some priests do it before a small altar, some don't.

The important part of it is the priest forgiving you in the name of Christ, not the location.

Christanon 01/26/18 (Fri) 23:11:18 716c62 No.594623

>>594383

No I just go in a room and after I confess I kneel and he puts the robe thing over my head saying a prayer

Christanon 01/27/18 (Sat) 23:54:03 1c9962 No.595200

I'm currently a catechumen and my priest always tells me to think of icons in the same way I would think of a picture of my parents, spouse, or other relatives. When you're away from home for work and you kiss the picture of your wife before placing it on the nightstand, are you worshiping the materials the picture is made of or are you trying to have a closer connection to your wife, though you're separated by a distance?

Christanon 01/28/18 (Sun) 00:05:52 64d95b No.595207

>>595200

That's also how I think about it.