Veneration of the Icons St Mark Coptic Orthodox

Veneration of the Icons St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church Saint Paul Servant Preparation Program August, 28 2004 • Charlotte, NC http: //www. coptic. org/stmarknc

The Iconoclasts • In the eighth century, a movement against the • veneration of icons arose. The proponents of this movement were called the iconoclasts (iconbreakers). A significant factor in the rise of the iconoclasts was the influence of Muslims, who according to the words of Koran, “Images are abomination of the work of Satan” (v. 92) viewed the veneration of the icons as a form of Idolatry. Church Regulations & The Council of Jerusalem • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

Protestantism • When Protestantism came to being in the sixteenth century, the rejection of the veneration of icons were renewed on the notion that this practice was a form of idol worshiping. They often quote the words of the Old Testament, “You shall not make for yourself a carved imageany likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. ” (Ex. 20: 4, 5). Church Regulations & The Council of Jerusalem • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

Iconography versus Idolatry v. Indeed idolatry is a major sin and consequently idol worshipers who do not repent will not be saved as St. Paul explains, “Neither … nor idolaters … will inherit the kingdom of God. ” (1 Cor. 6: 9, 10). However: Church Regulations & The Council of Jerusalem • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

Iconography versus Idolatry • The fiery serpent in the wilderness, (Num. 21: 8), • • (Jn. 3: 14). Two cherubim of gold at the two ends of the mercy seat, (Ex. 25: 18). King Solomon, (1 King. 6: 29 -31). Joshua: Falling down before the ark is not worship, (Josh. 7: 6). David’s veneration of the ark of Covenant, (2 Sam. 6: 12 -15) Church Regulations & The Council of Jerusalem • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

Iconography versus Idolatry v. We do not honor the material from which the icons manufactured, but we honor whatever the icon represent (Lord Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, The cross, saints, etc. ) v. Iconography dates back to the apostolic era for we read about St. Luke the Evangelist who painted an icon for St. Mary. Church Regulations & The Council of Jerusalem • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

Veneration of the Holy Cross St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church Saint Paul Servant Preparation Program Charlotte, NC http: //www. coptic. org/stmarknc

A. The Spiritual meaning • • Mt. 10: 37 Gal. 5: 24 Gal. 2: 20 1 Cor. 1: 18 Church Regulations & The Council of Jerusalem • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

B. The Sign of the Cross • The Cross is the principle symbol of the Christian religion recalling the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ and the redeeming benefits of His passion and death. Thus, the cross is a sign of both the Lord Jesus Christ and the Christian faith. Church Regulations & The Council of Jerusalem • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

B. The Sign of the Cross • The sign of the cross will appear in heaven • • just before the second coming, (Mt. 24: 30). The sign of the cross is the cause of the Edict of Milan in the days of Constantine and he abolished crucifixion (AD 337) St. Paul, (Gal. 6: 14) Church Regulations & The Council of Jerusalem • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

B. The Sign of the Cross • In the 16 th century, the Protestants refused the veneration of the cross and rejected its use considering it ‘idol worshiping’ until the 20 th century when ornamental crosses on their buildings started to appear. Church Regulations & The Council of Jerusalem • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

What is the meaning of the sign of the cross on oneself? • Faith in the Trinity • Faith in the incarnation of the Son of God. • Faith in Redemption and Atonement • through the cross. Faith in being on the right hand in the Last day. Church Regulations & The Council of Jerusalem • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

What are the benefits of making the sign of the cross? • Israel (Jacob) Gen. 48: 13 -19 • The blood on the doorpost and the lintel, • • (Ex. 12: 7) The stretched hands of Moses, (Ex. 17: 11, 12) Col. 2: 14, 15 Church Regulations & The Council of Jerusalem • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

1. Shouldn’t we only honor the actual cross 2. upon which the Savior was crucified? Why didn’t our Savior die by any way other than the cross? Church Regulations & The Council of Jerusalem • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

Veneration of the Saints & Intercession St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church Saint Paul Servant Preparation Program Month 32, 2004 • Charlotte, NC http: //www. coptic. org/stmarknc

INTECESSION Intercession in the Orthodox concept • In honoring the saints and the angels, we do not put them in the place of the Lord Jesus Christ or even comparable to Him. • No one except the Lord Jesus Christ is able to save man from sin. • When the saints pray for us, it is our salvation that they seek (intercede, entreat) from the Lord. PRESENTATION TITLE • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

Examples of Intercession • Gen. 20: 1 -7, Father Abraham pray for Abimelek, king of Gerar to live. • Job. 42: 7 -8, Job, the righteous, pray on behalf of the three friends as a condition forgiveness. • Gen. 18: 26 -32, Our father Abraham intercede for Sodom PRESENTATION TITLE • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

Examples of Intercession • Jer. 5: 1, God is ready to pardon Israel. • Ex. 32: 7 -14, Moses intercedes for the people of God. • 1 King. 11: 12 -13, for the sake of David who had already departed. • Jer. 15: 1, the severe wrath of God. PRESENTATION TITLE • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

God honors the Saints • 2 kg. 13: 21, The bones of Elijah raised the dead. • Act. 19: 12, the hand kerchiefs and aprons of St. Paul heal the sick and cast out demons. • Act. 5: 15, The shadow of St. Peter heals the sick. • 1 kg. 17: 1, Elijah orders the heavens. • Jn. 12: 26, the on who serves the Lord Jesus. PRESENTATION TITLE • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

Do the saints who departed angels know what happens on earth? • Lk. 15: 10, the joy of the angels over one sinner. • Rev. 6: 10, the souls of the martyrs. • Lk. 16: 25, Lazarus and the rich. • 1 Cor. 13: 12, the knowledge. PRESENTATION TITLE • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

Why are the orthodox churches named after saints aren’t they God’s churches? • • This does not mean that they share God’s glory. Mal. 4: 4, the law of Moses. Rev. 21: 14, the names of the twelve apostles. Ex. 3: 6, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Mt. 22: 32 PRESENTATION TITLE • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

Is the veneration of the relics of the saints border on idolatry? • There is a difference between the • • veneration and worship. 2 Kg. 13: 21 The reality of blessings. PRESENTATION TITLE • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC