Synod of Romanian Church: A home or temple without an icon is like a desert

Believers with icons in their hands. Photo: orthodoxianewsagency

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, in its message on the Feast of Orthodoxy, reminded that "an Orthodox home or church without an icon is like a desert."

The Synodal message states that "icons are windows to eternity through which our soul rises and spiritually grows," and a temple or home without icons "resembles a desert, a desolate place without God."

Reflecting on the victory of Orthodox faith over the heresy of iconoclasm, the Holy Synod recalled that "the struggle was great and heavy, but enlightened hierarchs and fathers emerged each time, guided by the Holy Spirit, who fought against erroneous teachings and affirmed the correct faith" at the Holy Ecumenical Councils.

"Therefore, let us preserve the treasure of faith inherited from our ancestors because Orthodoxy is a living connection of man with Christ, leading us to eternal life," the Synod's message emphasizes.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Romanian Patriarchate established the "Romanian Orthodox Church of Ukraine".

Read also

Relics stolen from Catholic Church in Czechia

At the Basilica of Saints Lawrence and Zdislava, an unknown intruder smashed a display case and stole the saint’s 800-year-old skull.

Head of Germany’s largest media group: We must all become Zionists

The media executive urged Europeans to defend the Jewish state in order to preserve their own freedom and security.

Church сonsecrated after restoration in Zaporizhzhia Eparchy of UOC

Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol performed the rite of great consecration and celebrated the first Liturgy in the renovated church.

Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says

MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.

Italian court recognizes family with three parents as legal

In Bari, the appellate court ordered authorities to register an adoption according to which a child is listed as having two "fathers" and one mother.

Archaeologists discover biblical Bethsaida on shore of Sea of Galilee

Researchers have discovered a first-century residential house beneath the apse of a Byzantine church and a mosaic inscription mentioning the Apostle Peter.