John of Damascus defends icons
John argues that depiction of Christ is possible because the invisible Word truly became visible in the Incarnation.
People
- John of Damascus
Primary sources
John explains the reason for depicting these events:
John grounds the depiction of Christ's life in the Word's real incarnation and events that were visible to people.
But after God in His bowels of pity became in truth man for our salvation, not as He was seen by Abraham in the semblance of a man, nor as He was seen by the prophets, but in being truly man, and after He lived upon the earth and dwelt among men, worked miracles, suffered, was crucified, rose again and was taken back to Heaven, since all these things actually took place and were seen by men, they were written for the remembrance and instruction of us who were not alive at that time in order that though we saw not, we may still, hearing and believing, obtain the blessing of the Lord. But seeing that not every one has a knowledge of letters nor time for reading, the Fathers gave their sanction to depicting these events on images as being acts of great heroism, in order that they should form a concise memorial of them.
Passage context and translation
John grounds Christian depiction in the historical Incarnation before distinguishing veneration of an image from worship owed to God.
Before the excerpt
Therefore to give form to the Deity is the height of folly and impiety.
After the excerpt
Often, doubtless, when we have not the Lord's passion in mind and see the image of Christ's crucifixion, His saving passion is brought back to remembrance