How is an Icon Used?
Many old and even recently-made icons have been considered miraculous and the church is honors the church’s patron saint icon by placing it in a central location. The faithful pray, make the sign of the cross and display profound reverences such as bowing, kneeling, kissing and touching the forehead to the icon. Icons are venerated but they are never worshipped. These demonstrations of respect are handed down from ancient traditions and still survive alive in the Orthodox Church. Icons can be given as gifts or on occasions of marriages, baptisms or saint’s name days (commemorating the saint after whom a Christian is named). They also are donated to churches and monasteries as memorial gifts or acts of thanksgiving. . In Orthodox homes icons are displayed on Eastern walls or corners, called the “beautiful corner.” To the Orthodox Christian, an icon is a constant reminder of God’s presence in their life whether at home or in Church.
