Home Page


Introduction:

An Icon may be an image of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saints, or a representation of events from the Scriptures. It is not merely a picture or a drawing but a spiritual and dogmatic expression. Thus, an Icon is written and not painted. The Icons in the Church or at home signify the spiritual presence of Christ, the Saints and events of their lives.

An Icon is a faithful representation of the Holy Scripture or a biography of a Saint; nothing may be added by the way intervention. The inner life of the Church must be expressed as a doorway or windows so that Heaven on Earth is realized. Icons are always serene and peaceful.


The Divine Majesty

Where should an Icon be placed ?
A corner of a wall, preferably to the east, should be designated in the home for Icons. The family should gather to pray in the presence of the Icon of the ever-praying Saints. Additional Icons can be placed in different areas around the house to enhance the meaning of the "Church in the house" and the existence of God in the heart.

The Iconographer ...
The Iconographer is not just an artist, but a person who has a deep understanding of the Church dogmas and the life of the Saints.

The spirituality of the Iconographer is an essential element in his ability to translate and express the spiritual depth of the Icon.

The Icons seen on this Web Page are all at Holy Virgin Mary Church in Los Angeles California. They were all written by Dr. Isaac Fanous, who has contributed to the Renaissance of the Coptic Orthodox Iconography.

Dr. Isaac Fanous is the founder of the School of Iconography in Cairo, Egypt.


For more information:
info@theotokos.org


© Copyright 1998 -  Holy Virgin Mary Church in Los Angeles - USA. All Rights Reserved under International Copyright Conventions.
No part may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, or by any information,storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from Holy Virgin Mary Church in Los Angeles - USA.
Information provided in the Web Site "http://www.theotokos.org" directories may not be recompiled into other directories or used for a derived work without permission.