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Orthodox Glossary · Term

Iconography

The theology and craft of painting icons according to Tradition, using scripture-based symbolism and prayer to reveal the glorified reality of the saints.

Defined Term
I
Iconography
LexiconOrthodox Christianity 101
§ 01 - How to Study This Term

From definition into prayer.

The Orthodox tradition does not separate vocabulary from worship. Pair this term with Scripture, the Liturgy, and the lived life of the Church.

  1. 01
    Look for the word in worship

    Listen for it inside the Divine Liturgy, the daily prayers, or the hymns of the feast it belongs to.

  2. 02
    Trace it through the Fathers

    The same word usually echoes across centuries - Athanasius, the Cappadocians, Maximus, Gregory Palamas.

  3. 03
    Pair it with a prayer

    Vocabulary becomes piety when it lives inside a single, repeated prayer of the Church.

§ 02 - Related Terms

Words that travel together.

Entries from the lexicon that share the same corner of Orthodox worship and thought as Iconography.

✦   Where to next?

One word, then another.

The Orthodox lexicon is a doorway, not a destination. Keep going - pair this term with prayer and a parish near you.