I wanted to share with y'all (I am from the South) about something that has been very meaningful to me in my journey into the historical faith. As a Southern Baptist, I was part of a tradition that did not place much value in some of the things that began to appeal to me. One of these was religious icons.
I am not sure when these began to strike me most strongly. It may have been after an exhibit of art in my home state. This was a touring exhibition of Russian religious art. A comment was made that there was an unusual issue of people kissing the glass cases that surrounded the icons. When I read of the reason, I was struck by the powerful religious devotion of orthodox christians.
Other groups of Christians have long fascinated me, and I have seen the sincerity of their faith. As a Baptist, I was taught that most all of these other faiths were in need of hearing the gospel. But I could hear what orthodox and catholic christians said and know that they had a true faith in Christ.
It stuck me that these images are like the family photos we have in our homes. And how much more to have these icons, which are so much more than mere pictures. The Icons are windows to heaven.
Below I would like to provide some links to research.
