What is an Icon?

Referring of course to religious icons, rather than the same word as used in the world of information technology, icons are sacred images that are intended to assist us in veneration and worship. 

The word “icon” comes from the Greek eikōn, meaning simply, “image.” Interestingly, in the familiar story of St. Veronica wiping the face of Jesus (6th Station of the Cross) and discovering that the image of His face was left on her veil, we may note that her name, “Veronica,” literally means “true image.” 

In the Byzantine Catholic Church, as well as in the other Eastern Rites (and in the Orthodox Churches) icons play a prominent role. While we of the Latin Rite (“Roman Catholics”) are more accustomed to having statues in our churches, chapels, offices, and homes, our Eastern brethren give such places of honor to the holy icons. 

To the Byzantine Catholic, the holy icon is much more than simply a picture, a piece of art, or a “painting” (please don’t call them that). Holy icons aren’t even produced in the same way as our western sacred art (paintings and statues). 

The process of producing an icon involves prayer, meditation, fasting, and even, perhaps, penance, in order that the iconographer might faithfully respond to the Holy Spirit. The actual process that we, in the west, might refer to as “drawing” or “painting,” the iconographer refers to as “writing.” He or she writes an icon. 

It is somewhat common to hear iconographers say that they really don’t know if the icon they’re writing is finished yet. They relate to it more as if it is a living thing. They wait and pray, and seek God’s voice as to when their work has been completed. 

The typical way of venerating or reverencing an icon is to make a profound bow before it, make the Sign of the Cross, and—if permitted—kiss the icon on the hand or foot depicted. Some also kiss their fingertips and then gently touch that hand to the icon.

© 2025 by Michael F. Lee
Originally Published by Decided Excellence Catholic Media, Sep 2025.