The word Icon means a picture of an image. In Christian Orthodoxy, believers do not worship icons, they respect them. This is done because the Icons are seen as a way of joining them to the goodness and holiness of God and His saints.

When a Christian Orthodox goes to a church, s/he lights a candle, makes a sign of the cross, and then kisses the Icons of Christ, Mary, and the Saints. The Icons of the Saints vary according to the church. The church also has the Icon of its patron Saint, placed on a lectern in the centre of the church with candle stands nearby.

The screen that separates the altar from the main body of the church is called the iconostasis because it holds a series of Icons. There are two aspects of the iconostasis, the South and the North. These two aspects are divided by central double doors known as the Royal Door

Orthodox Christians believe that God can use materials of this world, such as wood and paint, to help them to share the heavenly world. This is done by blessing the Icons so that the materials used, as well as the artists’ skills, can be used in God’s service. Icons are blessed to bring believers closer to God and thus regarded as Holy Icons.

Followers of Orthodoxy believe that it is wrong and impossible to make a picture of God as no one has ever seen Him. Pictures of Christ are allowed as he lived in this world as a man.

Orthodox Christians kiss the Icons at the front of the Church just before receiving Holy Communion. Doing so shows that the person is truly Orthodox. Kissing the Icons shows one’s reverence for them and that the person believes the teaching of the Orthodox Church.

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