On the Icons
I was asked recently why we Orthodox have so many paintings of the Saints, and how do they not fall under the condemnation of idols and graven images pronounced in the Law. Here is my answer: We have them for the same reason people keep paintings or (nowadays) pictures of their loved ones: to remember them. Icons -- which is what we call the paintings, from the Greek word for "image" -- represent the one depicted, and make them present to us in a way. The one depicted is called the Prototype. These are not graven -- that is, sculpted -- but painted. But let's grant for the sake of argument that it includes paintings as well, since it also says, "or any likeness." The prohibition in the Law against images is a prohibition against false worship, not against images per se. (There were images in the temple commanded by God.) It is written, Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended