“In former times, God, Who is without form or body, could never be depicted. But now when God is seen in the flesh conversing with men, I make an Image of the God whom I see. I do not worship matter; I worship the Creator of matter who became matter for my sake and accepted to dwell in matter and through matter worked my Salvation, and I will not cease from reverencing matter, through which my Salvation was worked.”
“The whole Earth is a living Icon of the face of God.”
“The Grace of God rests on the Icon, because the Saints were filled with the Holy Spirit during their lives. Even after their deaths, the Grace of the Holy Spirit lives on inexhaustibly: in their Souls: in their bodies, which are in their tombs: in their writings: and in their Holy Icons – not because of their nature, but as a result of Grace and Divine action.”
“If a pagan asks you to show him your faith, take him into Church and place him before the Icons.”
“When thoughts are choking me like so many thorns, I enter the Church, the hospital of Souls. The beauty of the Icons delight my vision like a verdant meadow, and without my noticing it stirs my Soul to praise God.”
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