I could listen to this man speak all day.

So many comments here unfortunately reflect reflexive, rote thinking spread in stark, low-church Protestantism for hundreds of years instead of real consideration of what the metropolitan so eloquently explains. Icons are windows to heaven, aids to prayer. They are no more "idols" than a picture of one's children is, propped up on a desk. I see the picture and am reminded to pray for those I love. In the case of the holy icons, I add veneration (NOT worship) to my reminder, for the icons depict those far mightier in the faith than we are--  martyrs, ascetics, apostles, and prophets, who finished the race well. Most of all, our Lord, who took flesh among us and therefore may be depicted. May all be blessed by the holy icons! What do you have to lose?

Saved: and want to listen to this over and over.

Awesome and Insightful !

Thank you 🙏

I didn't know Roman Catholics also used Icons .
Great Lecture!!!

Loved this!  Divine beauty!

AMAZING!

excelente

Does anyone know where the introductory soundtrack is from?

I make an icon of the God who can be seen, says St. John of Damascus.

Speed up 1.25x for normal speech

the eastern right Catholics do, they are in essence Orthodox but under Rome ecclisaticly

The arch of the covenant had angels on it, and it was part of worship of God in the old testament. The tradition of man, is the one, that DOES NOT understand that God wants us to worship him with our eye's and with our faith. These men, look at the image of the invisible God, and say "these icons are religion, let me go look at non-religious images."Christianity is not a tradition of man, it is the tradition of the Son of Man.

Can anyone proof apostle Paul use icon in early church thank you

Are you familiar with Numbers 21: 8-9, Exodus 25: 18-20, 1 Kings 6: 23-35 and 2 Chronicles 9: 17-19. The last one is particularly important since it can't be explained away by a possible divine suspension of the law since Solomon had the lions built of his own accord. Thus ancient Judaism beyond a shadow of a doubt did not interpret these verses to mean a complete ban on artistry and much less religious artistry.

Shocked not to hear The Response to Christ is Risen - therefore "Vaistinu Voskrese!"  what church of silence in this?

We are all sinners.  Judge not lest you be judged.  Remove the log from your own eye brothers and sisters. Unless you are all completely perfect I suggest none of you speak a word unless you are foolish.  May you all find peace.  Blessings.  Criticizing how others practice to worship God in the environment they choose is not anyone's place.   Last time I checked none of you are God? Please be respectful and humble to those who are different than yourself, those who truly have good spiritual practice are peaceful. They don't go around fighting and debating words and thoughts with everyone.  If you do not know peace, you do not know love and if you do not know love then you do not know God. :) Watch the words you speak. Are they loving from your soul? Or are they conceptualized rhetoric from your brain?   Knowledge , philosophy and semantics does not know the spirit of God only the soul self does.  Be kind.  Judgment is for God not you.  I suggest your humble silences.  <3