Praying with Icons

Sunday, August 17 and Sunday, August 24 at 10 AM

For over 1,500 years, Christians have turned to icons – sacred images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, saints, and biblical events – as a means of deepening prayer and opening our heart to God. Rooted in the early Church and central to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, icons have found a place in Episcopal spirituality as well, especially in recent decades, as people seek spiritual practices that engage the senses and invite stillness, contemplation, and presence.

Icons are not simply art. Icons don’t shout. They invite. They offer space – quiet, holy space – to see the face of Christ and to be seen by Christ. They are visual expressions of faith, “theology in color” or “windows into heaven,” carefully crafted not to portray realism, but to welcome us into spiritual reality. In a fast-moving world, praying with icons helps us slow down, see with the eyes of the heart, and rest in the presence of God.

But how exactly do we pray with an icon? What are we supposed to see or feel? And how can these ancient images speak to our lives today?

You are invited to a gentle, enriching journey into the tradition of praying with icons, led over two sessions designed for all levels of familiarity. Whether you’ve never encountered an icon before or have one hanging in your home, this series will deepen your understanding and experience of this sacred practice.

Session 1: Seeing the Sacred – The Meaning and Theology of Icons Sunday, August 17 at 10 AM

In this session, we’ll explore:

· What icons are (and are not), including the difference between veneration and worship.

· Why icons matter in the Christian tradition—especially in relation to the Incarnation.

· How iconography developed through Church history.

· How to understand common features, symbols, and gestures in icons.

· The place of icons in Episcopal spirituality and prayer life.

· How the contemplative use of icons resonates with the Episcopal Church’s liturgical and sacramental theology resonates with the contemplative use of icons.

Session 2: Entering the Mystery – Praying with Icons in Practice Sunday, August 24 at 10 AM

In this hands-on session, we’ll learn and practice a simple, reflective approach to praying with icons. First, we will sit with an icon in silence and reflection, noticing how images invite prayer, not

through words, but through presence. After, we will share insights and responses. The session will also offer suggestions for incorporating icons into your personal devotions, home prayer space, or daily rhythm.

Like all offerings at All Saints’, All Are Welcome. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or already drawn to icons, this series will meet you where you are. No prior knowledge or experience is necessary – just an open heart.

Come and see!

Nancy+