John of Damascus, Doctor of the Church

Term referring to his speaking ability

Chrisorroas Golden Speaker elloquence and capacity, especially in Greek AND how he lived his live with virtues and austerity

John's argument for validity of icons

Christological Focus If word could be made flesh, then precious things could enshrine meaning Icons reflect truth of the incarnation Christ was given in flesh and blood to be seen and touched Son is natural image of the Father Man is created in image of God

Byzantine Church on John

Conductor of orthodoxy, doctor of piety, beacon of universe, ornament of ascetics

Who painted first icon

Luke - Mary with her child

John and Monastic life

Mars Sabas Monastery Reluctantly ordained by John V, Patriarch of Jerusalem 2 nephew later followed him into Mars Sabas Later in 9th century 2 others became patriarchs

Christology of John of Damascus

Oneness of God Word was with God always, no beginning or end There never was a time when God was not word Word did not take preexistent flesh

Examples of icons

arts, sciences, culture, aesthetics, beauty, truth, theological doctrines

Archtype and icons

as much as something is created it cannot be an archtype, but created things can lead the mind to the archtype

Declared Doctor of Church

by Leo XIII in 1890 also called "Priest and DOctor" by the Church for his faith

JOhn's Definition of Icon

likeness depicting an archetype but having some difference from it

What other doctrines did John Speak about

Assumption - 1950

John of Damascus

Born 675 Noble Christian Family - Mansur Family known for high level education, piety, faith Difficult to pinpoint date of death 750ish

Nicea II called by

Empress Irene - Mother of Constantine VI 8 Sessions 787 - well after John's Death

Veneration of Icons - history

From beginning symbols, graffiti, icons, have very significant liturgical value - figuratively expressed faith Vernation is a practical manifestation of theoretical doctrines

What did God achieve in the incarnation

Gregory of Nazianzen - what has not been assumed cannot be saved He was was a perfect God comes to be a perfect man and offers us perfection and newness Mission of Incarnate Word is to put man in touch with his original untainted good nature Very Pro-Nicean

Byzantine Orthodox Church and Icons

Held as liturgical art, express visibly the invisible reality

Councils on Icons

Quinisext council - symbolic representation of Jesus the Good shepherd is not contrary to orthodoxy Synod of Elvira - prohibits pictoral representations

Where did Chrisorroas come from

River in Damascus

Father of John and Court Service

Served Ummayad Caliphs Seemed he would follow But denounced service after court servants was restricted to Muslims Accused of Treachury and Hand was cut off Pleaded for hand back from caliph, to bury Prayerd to Theotokos and hand miraculously back on

Term used for icons

proskunesis veneration or adoration

Types of worship for John

these are Absolute Worship for God alone First - due only to God Second - awe wonder for God Third - thanks giving for all good things He created for us Forth - needs and petitions seeking his blessings Fifth - Self purification referes to repentance and confession