The depiction of faith and respect: Christian Religious Icons

Eastern orthodox found the first instance of an image or icon in the Bible when God made man in his own image in Genesis. Christian religious icons are an integral part of the worship and have been the instruments for denoting God's miraculous arbitration in the life of mankind. These icons are simply not artworks but are consecrated figures that are used in religious devotions, prayers, and offerings. The religious icons serve as the way for the people to join the goodness and holiness of God and his saints. They have a due and highly special respect for these icons.

The study of identification, description, and interpretation of content of images of these icons are referred to as iconography. Saint Luke the Evangelist was the first iconographer who painted the very first image of Virgin Mary on a panel, which he had seen himself and is still worshipped today. One of the most recognizable and famous icons is The Holy Virgin of Vladimir, due to the fact that it was created by Saint Luke himself. There are many such icons that are worshipped all over the world, believing that the veneration passes straight to heaven. Evolving through the ancient times facing the struggle against the iconoclasts, these Christian religious icons is available in both the antique as well as recent art forms.