Reading Icons 1 - Inscriptions and Halos (Pencils & Prayer Ropes)

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Sound Editing: Uroš and Mira Nikolić
Music: Luka Čubrilo (commissioned specifically for this channel, written permission obtained)
Illustration and Narration: Me (Reader Bojan Teodosijević)
In this episode, I take you through the wonderful world of Orthodox iconography! The subject of this specific episode are haloes and inscriptions, two most recognizable elements of an Orthodox icon. 🎨

[@BibleIllustrated]

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[@StarWolfAL]

I traveled to a monastery near me, and purchased an icon, the depiction of Christ Our Savior, at the Hagia Sofia. It is my favorite thing I have in my room. I definitely want to continue to purchase more icons, they are beautiful!!

[@BibleIllustrated]

Oh yes, that icon is absolutely stunning!

[@odysseaslienor2061]

0:23 a wild Jonathan Pageau appeared :P Thank you for the video and may God rest Fr. Dimitri's soul.

[@BibleIllustrated]

Thank you so much! And glad that Jonathan's face was recognizable!

[@retep1221]

@@BibleIllustrated who is Dmitry

[@BibleIllustrated]

@@retep1221 my late spiritual father :)

[@MeaningToMatter]

Laughed out loud at the JP reference!! Thank you brother, and well done!

[@slavdefendov1499]

God bless you my brother. Love from another Bojan 🤣🤣. Great Job . Bog te Blagoslovio ☦

[@BibleIllustrated]

Hvala ti mnogo Bojane! :-) Tek ce da bude klipova i klipova!

[@BibleIllustrated]

All of your 'what about's will be answered in special icon FAQ at the end of this series (and who knows when we'll get to that). :-) I will also make an errata episode in the case there's a need (and there will be one. Finally, I will reupload Quran Illustrated video tomorrow, so do not get overexcited.

[@voltfields3900]

The cruciform halo of the Pantokar for us byzantines catholics has 2 layers of red representing the 2 natures of Jesus.

[@BibleIllustrated]

You mean the two lines around the halo?

[@malachi551]

As a new Eastern Catholic this is really helpful. Thank you so much.

[@BibleIllustrated]

Glad you liked it! :-)

[@eldermillennial8330]

I believe the Unites will eventually take over the Roman Communion entirely, out numbering the compromised Latins, after which your bishops can more reasonably negotiate reunification. Afterwards, the Western Rite Orthodox can take back Rome and burn Bugnini’s innovations.

[@thenoseknows367]

Great video, this is a subject that I always wanted to learn more about. Do you have any books to recommend that go into more detail explaining the symbolisms?

[@BibleIllustrated]

I don't know a book to recommend, but I pinned the comment in the case some subscriber can help >/

[@aavvggrr8120]

Pavel Florensky's "Iconostasis"

[@celestinehale8801]

0:33 - 0:41 My annoying Protestant siblings in a nutshell

[@StarWolfAL]

As a Methodist I understand what you mean. Although I am a Protestant I am very traditional in my worship and lifestyle, and I try to explain to my brothers and sisters who are Protestant the meaning of the icons and their significance. Even though it can be a bit difficult I have made some progress!

[@BibleIllustrated]

Just any Calvinist-based Protestant :-D

[@celestinehale8801]

@@StarWolfAL Good on you! Methodism happens to be my favourite Protestant group, aside from Anglicanism. I very much agree with Methodism's profuse rejections of Calvinist heresy. Also, I think you guys have some of the best vestments of all the Protestants, even better than the "orthodox" Lutherans.

[@tallmikbcroft6937]

Thank you for helping a searching soul, who was raised in a Protestant land, understand the Beautiful truth about Icons. Thank you my sibling in Christ. Blessing

[@honeyandlocusts1475]

I just want to thank you because your channel was a focal point in my looking to convert. I have a meeting with my local Priest this Wednesday to talk about starting catechumen. Thank you for being a positive voice in the Orthodox community. You truly add so much beauty to a very niche part of youtube. God Bless you!

[@kacperorlowski2677]

Thank you for the short lesson, very interesting and informative. As payment a small language lesson from someone to whom English is a second language as well. Subsequent is pronounced with the q making a harder, basically k sound. You know because English. And we're the ones with confusing languages.

[@BibleIllustrated]

Oh thank you! :-) Will have it in qmind! :-D

[@Renessance5138]

I've been trying to do research on the different elements of icons for ages and I'm so glad I found these videos, they're a great help

[@dylanchouinard6141]

0:42 any Jews, Muslims, and Protestants in the room start looking at each other nervously.

[@farwahbatool6247]

hahahaha yes, a (kind of) former Muslim here 😅 I was taught about that since childhood. Up only then when I read and understood what Holy Icons and statues mean. I am eagerly waiting to be able to have one at my home.

[@robinsiciliano8923]

Just found your channel and am so excited to learn more about this beautiful art.

[@Siamesemama1]

I really appreciate your teachings on all subjects. You always leave me w a deeper understanding of your faith. As someone "who left Rome", I do respect the Ikons for their teaching, reflection & of course, beauty.

[@BibleIllustrated]

They are quite something! I think it is mostly due to lots of layers :-D

[@PronounsAreHerMajesty]

Wow!!! This is so good! Thank you for sharing this! I’m a fan.

[@annefield5391]

I love this! ❤ ThanX 4 sharing!

[@Lord-Stanhope]

I really wanted to go to your Icon Masterclass

[@BibleIllustrated]

You just did B-)

[@arom219]

Amazing series! Congrats.

[@BibleIllustrated]

Glad you liked it! :-)

[@baccusthedrunken]

so excited for this

[@BibleIllustrated]

Me too :D

[@englishlearningcenter1470]

Thank you for your first video about this very important topic! Now I understand elements in the Icon of the Pantocrator. Thanks a lot! Greetings from Honduras

[@BibleIllustrated]

Glad you liked it so much!

[@JHGSP]

As someone new to Orthodoxy and starting catechism soon, I was looking at icons online and saw icons that depicted the Father as an old man. Im glad that this is only a western thing because of course the Father is not human or an old man. Nor can he be depicted.

[@bensirach3586]

Best Masterclass ever😀

[@BibleIllustrated]

I try B-)

[@davidgassilovski9158]

Now I'm keen to ask you for a couple of videos about particular inscriptions on the icons and how to read those greek and slavonic letters. But yeah... Looks like we, the youtube folks, can't do anything without a clear instruction from our favorite bloggers... Thanks for your work! Can't wait to listen to your next podcast!

[@BibleIllustrated]

Next episode is on Monday! :-)

[@user-wz5gc2td9s]

When I venerated my first icon of Christ at my church my eyes locked onto the eyes of Christ, I was taken aback as I felt, for a fraction of a second, the weight of my sins and unworthiness. A sobering feeling to say the least.

[@gregstarr9567]

Wonderful!

[@BibleIllustrated]

Glad you liked it, Greg! :-)

[@robertafierro5592]

Excellant!

[@irongeneral7861]

It all makes more sense now.

[@BibleIllustrated]

Glad it does! :-)

[@teodorivanov4558]

I love the first drawing be a thing like an icon with the inscription: "the fat reader". We, sub deacons and readers, are equally not in shape. Greetings from Bulgaria!

[@Colley_co]

More please!

[@valentinemichaelsmith8219]

Thank you for the introduction to iconography, Bible Illustrated! #InChrist

[@BibleIllustrated]

Glad you liked it!

[@elizabethshaw734]

Very well put. :-)

[@emilierose9402]

Thanks for these videos. I was looking for a way to learn more about Orthodox Christianity when I found your videos. Coming from a Roman Catholic background I disliked the way Catholics ignored the history of Eastern Christianity in talking about the early Church. Thank you for widening my horizons and understanding of such incredibly rich Christian history.

[@DysmasTheGoodThief]

Yesssss

[@realwonderchild]

Amazing video. Very insightful! Just the background runescape 2003 music makes the whole scenery seem a bit weird? haha

[@BibleIllustrated]

Will change music soonish ;-)

[@kaybrown4010]

Good job 👏 👏👏

[@BibleIllustrated]

Thank you! :-)

[@Matthew-vs5yh]

Thank you for this! As a Westerner its great to finally know how to read Eastern Icons! Do you think you could do a "walkthrough" video on an icon? Like what is involved etc. Sorry if you have done this before but I've always been curious by icons but lack the skill to make them sadly.

[@BibleIllustrated]

I doubt I will make such a video because I would have to edit a video, which would be extremely problematic - video editing software is extremely expensive, what KZbin offers is insufficient for a video of that kind and I can't paint an icon in one go :-) I will describe the process with photos, most probably :-)

[@macsenhayes]

Would be nice to get a defense of the icons since prots tend to get confused about those points mentioned quite often

[@ncpolley]

Pretty good. I’m a fan of statuary myself. I’d like to see an equivalent tradition on statues.

[@BibleIllustrated]

A lot of these wouldn't work for statues :D

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Statuary can be a problem. I like beatiful statuary. The staues on the main altar of Notre Dame de Paris are lovely. However ..... (unlike flat stained glass and icons that also do not resemble an actual person) 1.) Some statuary is just awful! Good ...... statuary is very expensive. Those BVM statues (that look like a stone/ plaster) phallus are disgusting! 2.) Staues can be a stumbling block for ...... ill-formed, and low-information people. It can also a stumbling block for non-Catholics. Judaism and Islam are particularly opposed to icons and statuary. So, if one is dealing with either of them -- Be aware.

[@genemyers9134]

Thank you .could you explain why and how to approach the icons when entering a church.

[@johnnyd2383]

First of all... you do not have to. Orthodox approach them as they enter the temple, coming to the central one and then to the other ones as desired. If unsure how, stand on a side and observe other people how they do it. No rush.... you can do it at the end of the service if not before. There are no written rules but there is commonly accepted way of kissing icons - icons with Lord present we kiss His foot if depicted, if not hand. Saints, angels we kiss their hand. Kissing on a cheek is considered too personal but no harm even if you do.

[@IapetusStag]

Bro, I need to ask you an urgent question about this before I start painting the icons for our Church. Where is your source that icons should NOT contain saints or angels wearing black? Thank you.

[@BibleIllustrated]

You are likely not going to find 'sources' for pretty much anything in Orthodox iconography. It never simply got jotted down. Simply pay attention to icons - you will never see someone painted black. Strictly used for tombs, caves and demons.

[@user-wx5os6pd5j]

I had to brag about this on here i have starter and will attend one of many in Serbians Bogoslovija's

[@BibleIllustrated]

Hope you do well! :-D

[@Vladimir82623]

So I have icons of the great feasts with black backgrounds is that ok?

[@OrthodoxChristian]

Actually Jesus Christ and Mother of God texts can also be written in other language, for example Icons painted in Georgia Orthodox Church have it in Georgian language (in one of the three alphabets of Georgian language)

[@acemantura]

Yaaay Bojan!

[@BibleIllustrated]

Yaaaay acemantura! :-D

[@justinmassie2235]

Praise Jesus! In Jesus Name I pray! Amen ❤️🙏📖

[@AndreasEvgenikos]

Otherwise, a good video as per usual.

[@thedisintegrador]

Nice. Can I ask you a short question? I got as a present a wonderful icon of the Pantocrator. It’s the most beautiful icon I have ever seen, beautifully painted with a real golden background, and I would like to have the Theotokos of Vladimir from the same iconograph... but it has been done by a catholic nun. Can I have it blessed by an orthodox priest?

[@BibleIllustrated]

In short, no, you don't need to get the icon blessed. I will explain more in Bible Illustrated Hands video and notify you here. :-)

[@thedisintegrador]

Bible Illustrated wonderful, thanks

[@thedisintegrador]

Bible Illustrated actually, well yes, but will the priest bless the icon if I ask him to?

[@BibleIllustrated]

@@thedisintegrador Yup, he will :-)

[@thedisintegrador]

Bible Illustrated that’s great news :)

[@James-en1ob]

Bojan, what's the name of the type of script icon painters use?

[@elizabethshaw734]

I hope somebody comes by and sees this. I paint. Can I paint my own icons if they are as exact as the original?

[@nfinzer22]

The I AM halo is often in English in America.

[@BibleIllustrated]

Yup, seen those. Wouldn't work in Serbian. An iconographer I know painted an icon with I AM in Serbian - our mutual friend joked that he used Arial Narrow font so it would fit within the cross :D

[@rin_etoware_2989]

So, can I make an icon using only my trusty black markers?

[@BibleIllustrated]

Icons are supposed to be permanent - paper and cardboard generally don't qualify ;-)

[@tonyfarrell5164]

What doe letters AIM mean in halo?

[@nathanielolson]

Quick question, what is Pantocrator?

[@artemiostriantafyllou7986]

(Far as I know) Pantocrator (Παντοκράτωρ) means "Ruler of Everything", a title of Christ, written alongside the image of Christ in the dome of a church. Often associated with this icon: images.app.goo.gl/wfSKCmWpHXCNWuKX6

[@BibleIllustrated]

Literal translation of Pantocrator is "He Who (Up)Holds Everything," "All-bearer." It indicates Christ as the ruler of all circumstances of our life, but also as the sustainer of Creation. :-)

[@AndreasEvgenikos]

Regarding the translation of “Ο ων” it can only mean, ‘He who is’. This is just because the article doesn’t indicate a personal pronoun (rather, one that just is the masculine nominative article in singular). Also, the active element in the phrase “ων” is something that can only mean ‘who is’ considering the context (that it’s referring to a someone). In addition to this, for ‘I am’ it translates back to “εγώ ειμί” which is also within the passage where “Ο ων” is used (also that it is in the area where Christ says “Εγώ ειμί λέγω ειμί” so I understand the misinterpretation (it’s understandable)). Furthermore, a very frustrating part to be careful about in using Greek letters/words in iconography is that they use Greek calligraphy. This can be frustrating since for the “ΜΡ ΘΟΥ” the last letter is in fact two letters, a diphthong (the ‘ου’ (the “oo” sound)), and this is often confused with the ‘ν’ (n) and ‘υ’ (E) letters. It also doesn’t help if the iconographer doesn’t make it as clear as possible to avoid any mistakes.

[@instrumental7809]

Why is it canonical to depict Holy Spirit but not to depict Father? Is it because Spirit manifested himself as a dove?

[@instrumental7809]

Vasilije Gocev but Holy Spirit is not a Dove. It’s just a way He manifested himself. We can not “see” holy spirit like that.

[@BibleIllustrated]

Yup, precisely because of that. :-)

[@eldermillennial8330]

InstruMental Perhaps the Holy Spirit should ONLY be depicted as a floating Halo, no appearance of a creature at all. As for God the Father, it always pains me to see an icon or fresco depicting His ‘face’. Michelangelo started that trend in the West. Some years after his death, some wimpy cardinals had the nude biblical characters covered over with modesty pentimento. What they SHOULD have covered was The Father’s face with a flame of Glory, left the rest alone. I see it all too often at Novis Ordo parishes and it always gives me the creeps.

[@jesseexplosion]

Wow 2CV

[@yvavi6851]

i mean in Georgian icons the Jesus Christ and Theotokos inscriptians and Georgian, and we dont use ΟΩΝ too often

[@BibleIllustrated]

Interesting to know! :-)

[@paulbrule5897]

As an orthodox catechumen I thank you for this serie it will help me read better the icons at my church

[@BibleIllustrated]

Many more to come! :-D

[@theturtwig50]

I saw an icon of God the Father in a Greek Church. It was the oddest thing.

[@BibleIllustrated]

Not really. They're relatively common.

[@totustuusmaria6657]

Reading Icons 2 when?

[@BibleIllustrated]

August 29, but it will most probably get delayed, like all my videos :-)

[@totustuusmaria6657]

@@BibleIllustrated haha I'm sure it will be worth the wait. Thank you

[@reynaldoplaygamesandroblox1072]

Can you make the difference of christians and catholic??? Because I always go to christians and catholic church my religion is combined

[@arom219]

By saying "christians" do you mean protestants?

[@BibleIllustrated]

Catholics are Christians, not really sure what you mean? :-)

[@andrei-cezarbleaje5519]

wow, so you really are an ecumenist ?

[@thecossackcrusaderofholybr8448]

Question, is there anyway of canonically depicting God the Father?

[@joboy_off]

Daniel 7:14-16

[@miagvinjilia]

Can we make 0:43 a meme? Please

[@zionparks7502]

I love icons. They're almost better than their western counterparts.

[@BibleIllustrated]

Again, what I say at the end: for icons, spiritual reality is more important than physical/historical reality, and that is why you enjoy them more :-)

[@williampotter7572]

Good thought I 'm not a big fan of academic art because it, But I think the Gothic stuff www.museunacional.cat/en/who-who-identification-saints-gothic-period-0 is in par.

[@farwahbatool6247]

I like both.

[@Greasy__Bear]

Do you know johnathan pageau?

[@BibleIllustrated]

I have him on my FB friends list, but that's about it, I'm a subscriber :-)

[@crystalvmin2297]

In hinduism, we also have halos

[@BibleIllustrated]

Yes, I think they spread to both Hinduism and Christianity from Greeks.

[@crystalvmin2297]

You right bro i am a HINDU Christian. I want to be a exorcist when I grow up.

[@roytofilovski9530]

Realistic looking icons are not forbidden in the OC. They are actually not at all rare either.

[@snoopy1965]

God blessings and love. I love you art work please pray for me.

[@BibleIllustrated]

Thank you so much, Rich. And will do! :-)

[@joenathan8059]

Does no one remember the nehushtan

[@jerrypawlak2396]

Just another preson in crowd? Tell it to the face of The Last Judgment (by Michelangelo)

[@jerrypawlak2396]

Or any of Theophilia's icons www.deviantart.com/theophilia

[@BibleIllustrated]

Ugh, I have such a huge dislike of that fresco. Artistically, it is beautiful, but there's literally nothing on Christ that indicates Him as such - not even wounds, just a scratch where lance would should be.

[@jerrypawlak2396]

@@BibleIllustrated oh boy how i wish i could answer with image

[@houstonburnside8985]

Nice🤔🇬🇪👏😂👌🏼☝️🤡👇🌎

[@jerrypawlak2396]

icon by theophilia i see a man of culture

[@houstonburnside8985]

Przemysław Jerzy Ryszard Pawlak indeed good sr

[@BibleIllustrated]

Than👾🏤🎥☑️🈳s

[@houstonburnside8985]

Bible Illustrated toche

[@benywidodo]

In short, icons are memes then 🤔 🤔

[@James-en1ob]

I miss Simeon the new straw man 😔

[@elizabethshaw734]

Icons with an inscription are always sanctified. :-)

[@heliopijpe]

hahaha

[@BibleIllustrated]

😂😅

[@ALLHEART_]

0:15 Why did you depict yourself sitting on the throne of God? 😱 Even though it's obviously meant as a joke, it's somewhat scandalous. 😳 God bless.

[@BibleIllustrated]

It isn't the throne of God, it's just a throne. Saints are often depicted in a sitting position. :-)

[@ALLHEART_]

@@BibleIllustrated Fair enough. I understand. I was mistaken because the throne image is most often used in icons of Christ, either with or without the Panagia, but I was mistaken nonetheless. Anyway, this is a good video. God bless.

[@casplay6743]

Дебильный чтец* - its really hilarious

[@BibleIllustrated]

Actually, it is дебели чтец (fat reader) :-D

[@casplay6743]

@@BibleIllustrated ow, now im get it

[@kungfuman1655]

First :D

[@BibleIllustrated]

Indeed you are! :-)

[@lew8691]

Making icons is a sin idolatry.

[@BibleIllustrated]

Quick, notify God so He'd know.

[@joboy_off]

So drawing something= idolatry??🤣☠️