Reply To: Iconoclasm

[Dean Riley]

Iconoclasm in the Byzantine era caused a division in the society and even to this day there is still a division when it comes to what constitutes worshiping an idol and what constitutes worshiping God. Such as the Virgin of Vladimir is sure to have been a piece that was considered to be an important Christian icon, especially if it was rumored to have been originally painted by Saint Luke. The same can be said for the Icon of Saint Michael the Archangel. There have been many stories of miracles happening when related to St. Michael statues. Many denominations look at other denominations and accuse them to this day of idolatry when they pray to Saint’s such as Michael and the Virgin Mary instead of Christ. During the Byzantine times, the church was rapidly expanding, so it is inevitable that the subject of a lot of art would by Christian icons.