Paint an icon

You need paint
To paint an icon,
But not just physical paint.

You need eyes
To see an icon,
But not just physical eyes.

An icon's spiritual potency
Is not apprehended physically;
It is apprehended spiritually
By invisible eyes
Which can see
Invisible colours
And which can listen
To inaudible tones
And which can feel
Non-tactual textures.

An icon is
An interdimensional portal;
A crossing point
Between dimensions;
A conduit for angels
Or for that
Which is angelic in character,
Angelic in origin,
Or angelic in destiny.

You don't pay
Close attention
To an icon;
An icon pays
Close attention
To you.

Watch out:
You are being watched.


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Images of icons
>> The Resurrection of Our Lord

>> The Mother of God

>> The Virgin Mary Portaitissa (Keeper of the Gate)

>> St John the Baptist

>> St Nicholas the Wonderworker

>> St Simeon the Stylite and St Simeon of the Admirable Mountain


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Understanding icons
An introduction by Alexander Boguslawski

Understanding icons
An essay by Frederica Mathewes-Green

Understanding icons
First principles of interpretation - Orthodox World website

Icons Explained
P.W. de Ruyter's site - A Guide to Byzantine Icons, Frescoes and Mosaics on the internet from Constantinople to Macedonia to Russia, and around the world.

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Jesus is not an icon

Myth signifiers

More Norfolk koans

The consciousness of the angels

Index of blog contents

Spirituality websites worth watching