|
Icons play an important role in the Russian Orthodox religion. The word is derived through Latin from the Greek word eikon which means a likeness. In Russia today, an icon is usually a painting of Jesus Christ or of another holy figure. Traditionally the painting is done on wood. Sometimes the painting is heavily decorated with layers of gold or silver with only the painted face or faces showing through. It is believed that the early religious leaders in Russia used icons as an important way of communicating the essence of their religion to their largely illiterate followers. The icons and wall paintings of the church reinforced the religious lessons taught by the priest. Sometimes the icon itself gained such importance with the lay following that it was believed to have supernatural powers. Reverence shown these icons bordered on idol worship and from time to time generated debates within the clergy. During our visit, one of our guides went out of her way to explain that people do not pray to the icon, but rather pray through it to the figure that it represents.
|
|
