Icons in the home

[Wallace Justin Miller]

My wife and I just had an argument about Icons. We have several in our home, and she also has other things (posters, etc..) Among the many things she has are Elvis collector's plates (that, by the way, I bought her for Christmas last year). We had them up in the kitchen at our old house, and now she has put them up in the kitchen here, but in a more clusterd situation, just above the kitchen sink. I don't like it. Of the icons in our home, the only who that sit nearly as high as these are our wedding icons that are over the bed in our room. I suppose what really got me was that we have an Icon of Panagia in the kitchen, but it's lower, more forehead level. I'm somewhat uncomfortable with the king and his guitar being more central and elevated in the room than The King and The Theotokos. I feel very split on this, as I feel on one hand that I'm being ridiculous, but on the other hand, I feel bothered by what I feel is a lack of respect for the Icon of the Mother of God. Please, someone set me straight!

[Andonis]

i think what your feeling is correct, in fact i wouldn't put Elvis even on the same wall. but if it means keeping the peace with your wife it may mean to compromise. maybe she would respond better after some time, if you went to her with utmost sincerity and peacefulness and explained how strongly you felt about it. sometimes the indirect humble approach is better than the stern direct approach. everybody has a button, i'm sure if you keep seeking it, you will find it....

[John Wilson]

I wouldn't worry too much. We change our attitude about a lot of things as we grow as christians. Your wife may not see things the same way as you right now, but in time her heart too will change and she will probably start taking down her posters and evan put Elvis away (all things are possible with God). I had a lot of wrong attitudes when I first came into contact with orthodoxy, and as stubborn and proud as I was with regards to my beliefs at the time, I can look back now and see that not once did an orthodox priest judge me. Glory to God! Had they pointed out then, the error in my belief, it is quite possible that my heart would have been hardened towards the truth of our faith. Instead, their love and prayers were gently guideing me.

I recommend you ask your wife for forgiveness over the argument and simply keep praying that your wife will grow in her love for Panagia. Your sincere repentance will do more to convict her of her error than any amount of arguing. Humility is a powerful weapon in the fight against pride. Both our own and of others.

[Dianna]

Now as a new member of the church i really dont have any great words but i will say this, pray and ask god to help you speak the words in peace and allow you to see your wife and her to see you as in gaining the same goal as members of the chruch . And if both of you go humbly before god in prayer his holy spirit will guide both of your hearts as to what to do with "the king of rock-n-roll"
God bless you both

[Fr Averky]

Dear Wallace,

John's response to you is excellent People have enough problems in their marriage and daily lives without fighting over such a matter. In the Russian tradition, icons are put rather high in the corner of ther room, so that they gaze out over the entire room, and they usually are on an eastern wall or, as I am speaking about, corner. In Russian homes there is usually a place where the family gathers to pray and it is called the "krasni Ugel, or "beautiful corner. This might be a compromise for you. At any rate, I would say don't worry about it. I just finished a book called "The Faith," which traces the history of the Christian Church from the time of Jesus Christ until 2001, and it is appalling to see how people calling themselves Christians maimed, tortured, and burned at the stake, those wo did not agree with their religious views. Let us be like Chirst, Who is meek and humble of heart, and approach differences with love, humility, and patience. God bless you and your wife. Lent is here, lets us use it well.

[Vladimir Deczynski]

I am new here and I hope this is the correct place to ask this question: I have a vial of "100% pure myrrh" from the "Myrrh Streaming" icon of St. Nicholas whose custodian is Father Elias Warnke from ROCOR. I have heard everything from "this is truly of God" to "This guy is a sham and a fake". I do not know whether or not I should freely use the "Myrrh" in good conscience. As far as I know the Church Hierarchs have not spoken either way. I hope someone can shed some light on this.

Thank you! Vladimir Deczynski

[Fr Averky]

Dear Vladimir,

The history of this icon is sad and conflicting. The icon of St. Nicholas was found by Fr. Elias on a remnant table at St. Isaac of Syria Skete in Wisconsin because sawdust had gotten in between the laminate and the icon and could not be sold. Taking the icon home, he put it out on an analogion for the Feast of St. Nicholas in Winter, and the next morning before Liturgy, myrrh was streaming from it.

The icon then became well-know and soon was being taken to various parishes. Fr. Elias is an Arab-American, and he does not have the rather solemn and formal demeanor of the Russian priests, and he was just a little too casual for them. In time, this began to rub a lot of people the wrong way- one time when telling about how the icon began to stream myrrh, he unthinkingly rested his forearm on the icon itself, and there was an audible gasp from the gathered faithful.

Earlier this year, a prominent priest in Washington D.C. took it upon himslef to be the conscience for the Church, which he has done several times, and denounced the icon and Fr. Elias as a fraud. This is light of the fact that he has made a mockery of the memory of Brother Jose Cortez-Munoz, by basically canonizing him a saint himself has made two films about him and icons painted of him., as if the Church has no authority. Why people allow themselves to be manipulated to do evil against others is beyond me. We all have so many struggles just to keep our heads above water.

After the problem arose, the St. Nicholas icon was taken from Fr. Elias and sent to Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, where it was kept for a little more than a month, and during which time it never ceased to stream myrrh.

The whole thing is simply the work of the Devil-all icons are holy, so do not worry about it. I know all of the people involved in this unfortunate experience.. The Evil One always wars against those things which can be a consolation to the Christian, but we have to look past petty arguements and considerations, looking always for the Heavenly Vision.

Pray to St. Nicholas -he is a powerful intercessor.

Fr. A.

[Russell Lloyd Maximos]

As a relatively new member of the ROCOR and someone who frequently works online I am pleased to find this discussion group. From time to time I have many questions about Christianity, of course I discuss as many as I can with my Priest and with my Spiritual Father, but this provides a most accessible space for wider discussion amongst Orthodox Christians. I welcome this opportunity to meet other Orthodox Christians.
Maximos

[M.C. Steenberg]

Dear Maximos,

Welcome to the community: it is good to have you here. I, with others, look forward to your posts.

INXC, Matthew

[John P. Nasou]

A contributor asked a question about the icon of Archangel Michael and the signifcance of the orb.

There are three items in the icon which require comment:
1. The staff in his right hand is that of the messenger of the classical world. It has at its tip a pattern which looks like a miniature of that found on the end of the Bishop's staff. It is not a spear which many uncritical viewers see it to be.
2. The orb shows swirling clouds over a background of light blue. It symbolizes the Heavenly Kingdom.
3. On the orb are three letters. X (Chi)for Christ. A (Alpha) for Agathos, i.e. the Good.
and K (Kappa) for Kritis, i.e. Judge. In all,
"Christ is the Good Judge."
I have seen one icon in which the staff was painted as a lance. Many of the icons do not have the three letters present on the orb.