Icons are not merely religious artwork; they are sacred images intended to draw the viewer into prayer, contemplation, and communion with God. In the Byzantine and Orthodox Christian understanding, honor shown to an icon passes to the person depicted — ultimately glorifying God, who is the source of all holiness.

Veneration is an act of reverence and love, not worship. Worship belongs to God alone.
Traditional ways to venerate an icon include:
● Making the sign of the cross
● Bowing before the icon
● Offering prayers quietly and attentively
● Kissing the hands or feet of the holy figure depicted (rather than the face)
Icons are meant to aid prayer and spiritual reflection. Place the icon in a clean and respectful location within the home, often in a prayer corner or other quiet place.
Avoid:
● Treating the icon as a decorative object alone
● Placing it in inappropriate or irreverent settings
● Using the icon superstitiously or as a good-luck charm

The traditional process of Egg Tempera Iconography is an ancient technique that has been used for centuries by iconographers.
The Traditional Process includes the following:

1. Preparing the Panel
   A wooden panel is covered with layers of gesso (a smooth white ground) and carefully sanded.
2. Drawing the Image
   The sacred image is prayerfully sketched according to traditional iconographic
   prototypes.
3. Applying Gold Leaf
   Gold leaf is often applied to halos or backgrounds to symbolize divine light and the
   heavenly kingdom.
4. Mixing Egg Tempera Paint
   Pigments are mixed with egg yolk and water or vinegar. This creates a durable,
   luminous paint known as egg tempera.
5. Building the Image with Light
   Icons are traditionally painted from dark tones toward light, symbolizing the soul’s
   transformation through divine grace.
6. Prayer Throughout the Process
   Iconography is considered both an artistic and spiritual discipline. Many iconographers pray while working, treating the creation of the icon as an offering to God.

The purpose of an icon is not realism, but revelation. Through color, symbolism, stillness, and sacred form, icons invite the faithful into prayer and contemplation of heavenly realities. “Since the Word became flesh, matter itself may be sanctified and become a bearer of grace.”