"Iconography, like the Scriptures, can play a vital role in both the liturgical action and the devotions of individual believers by reminding us of God's ongoing presence and action in our world through Christ, the Theotokos, the angels, and the saints.
"The icons that fill every nook and cranny of the walls of Eastern churches make the assembly keenly aware that they are surrounded by and embraced within the unseen cloud of witnesses of every place and time. They proclaim the truth that it is not just we who offer thanks and praise; but that we have entered into the greater liturgy of heaven, in which the entire universe worships God. Heaven is united to earth and the boundaries between the two seem to dissolve for a time.
"Icons proclaim God's reality in a visible way, which is why they're often referred to as windows into heaven. In our individual devotions, they help us to remember our connection with the divine by providing a focus for our wandering minds. We can relate to them in much the same way as we do a trusted friend or beloved companion, with an intimacy that mere words cannot communicate. They comfort us in our struggles and challenge us when we fall into complacency. In our prayer with an icon, just as with the Scriptures, we can experience tangible reminders of the ways in which God is constantly telling us 'I love you.'
"The icons in our churches and homes help us to remember that we are not alone as we enter into prayer, and that our action has implications far beyond what we see around us. Icons proclaim a reality that we cannot see but still believe exists. Whether we are aware of it or not, we dance with God."
