Thursday, December 8, 2022

Canon 3 of the Fourth Council of Constantinople (869-870) Affirming the Veneration of the Icon/Image, not Heavenly Prototype Merely

Canon 3 of the Fourth Council of Constantinople (869-870) reads thusly; note how it teaches that veneration is to be given to the icon/image, not the heavenly prototype merely:

 

We decree that the sacred image of our lord Jesus Christ, the redeemer and saviour of all people, should be venerated with honour equal to that given to the book of the holy gospels. For, just as through the written words which are contained in the book, we all shall obtain salvation, so through the influence that colours in painting exercise on the imagination, all, both wise and simple, obtain benefit from what is before them; for as speech teaches and portrays through syllables, so too does painting by means of colours. It is only right then, in accordance with true reason and very ancient tradition, that icons should be honoured and venerated in a derivative way because of the honour which is given to their archetypes, and it should be equal to that given to the sacred book of the holy gospels and the representation of the precious cross.

 

If anyone then does not venerate the icon of Christ, the saviour, let him not see his face when he comes in his father’s glory to be glorified and to glorify his saints’, but let him be cut off from his communion and splendour; similarly the image of Mary, his immaculate mother and mother of God, we also paint the icons of the holy angels just as divine scripture depicts them in words; we also honour and venerate those of the highly renowned apostles, prophets, martyrs and holy men as well as those of all the saints. Let those who are not so disposed be anathema from the Father, the Son and the holy Spirit.

 

Further Reading:

 

 Answering Fundamentalist Protestants and Roman Catholic/Eastern Orthodox on Images/Icons