What is the essence of icons?
the Icon is a Holy of holies. In order to understand what is its essence, it is necessary, first, to examine all known research scholars.
Blessed Augustine gives us the following four levels of understanding the icon: the literal, allegorical, moral and analogical. On the first level, despite the icon, we get acquainted with the plot. See who depicted the events of the biblical story or the story of the life of a Saint and the like. On the second level we discover the meaning of the image, symbolism, signs. (Important: as shown color, light, gestures, details, etc.). At the third level, "acquired" the relationship between image and praying. (this level of feedback). By the way, you can also on the website: http://www.mos-ikona.ru/.
the Icon is perceived as a window to the spiritual world through a special "language", where every sign and symbol means a lot more than he is. Therefore the fourth level is anagogy is the level of "pure contemplation," the transition from the visible to the invisible. Leads to direct contact with the prototype. At this level, just enjoy the whole meaning, for which there is an icon. Thus, understanding the symbolism of the icon, there is the principle of reading of icons as text. And here we remember again the words of St. Gregory Dialogus, the icon is a "Bible for the illiterate (the illiterate)".
a major role in the iconography played in the XVI century and one hundred heads Cathedral. In this era for the first time in Russian iconography appear the germs of the new flow. In contrast to the old flow, strict Byzantine traditions and styles have come new Western art images. Then there is a split between people, supporters of Byzantine icon painting and Italian art.
As we know, the basis of the Liturgy is the Word of God. In the liturgical space we see, so to speak, three different "incarnation" of the Word: the Word that speaks through the gospel, the Epistles, prayers, etc. the Word apparent is the temple of frescoes, mosaics, icons. The word, the Living God, who is present among the people gathered in His name and through the sacrament. Florensky called the worship of the synthesis of arts, as it has everything - architecture, painting, singing, sermon, the theatricality of the action - and all of this works to create an image of another world, which is God.
Therefore, in order to better understand the icons in the iconostasis and the essence of the iconostasis in the temple space, we must also consider at least briefly the symbolism of the temple and all the liturgical things that belong to him.
Translated by "Yandex.Translate": translate.yandex.ru.
