Iconoclasm

[Deiniol Clarke]

Hi!

I was wondering if anybody could help me with some research. I am researching into music of the Orthodox Church - especially the use of the ekphonetic markings in music.

My question is about the Iconoclast era. I have two definitions.
1) An era of a ruler who endeavoured to kill monks and destroy Christians.
2) Breaking of images.

I'm not actually sure which best describes "Iconoclasm" - the era or the action. Any help on the topic in general would be well appreciated.

In Christ humbly,
Deiniol

[Olga]

Dear Deiniol

Both your definitions are correct. The word comes from the Greek "eikona" meaning "image", and more specifically referring to the images of saints and feasts venerated in the Orthodox Church, and the Greek "klasma" which means "to break into pieces". The term iconoclasm can be used to denote the historic periods in church history where the veneration of icons was outlawed as it was seen as a pagan custom, contrary to Christian belief. (St John of Damascus wrote probably the best treatise rebutting iconoclasm, but more of that later.) Also the physical act of destroying icons (as occurred during these periods to carry out Imperial edicts) is also iconoclasm. I do have more details on file, which I'm happy to supply in my next posting.

Olga.