Stop using Holy Icons as Memes!
I am sure this post is going to upset some people, but it needs to be said. I have seen a very disturbing trend lately where Orthodox Christians are using holy icons as the background and basis for memes by putting writing on top of the photo of the icon. This is nothing less than sacrilege. Sacrilege is the violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred. Icons are a prayer, first and foremost. When they are created the iconographer prays the whole time he/she is painting the icon. Even though the digital image is merely a photograph, it still conveys the prayers which were
painted while the icon was being created. Thus to cover the digital photograph of the holy image in writing that you think needs to be said is simply wrong and it is a clear abuse and misuse of the icon.
I understand the thinking behind why people are doing this. They want an Orthodox looking image to use as the basis for their Orthodox sounding meme, however using the icon as the basis for such a meme is not only improper, but it is an abuse of the sacred. This is nothing new. My godfather who is himself quite an accomplished iconographer told me years ago that the basis for the reaction to images during the iconoclastic controversy of the 8th Century was the fact that people had begun putting icons on
everything, including clothing.Even though the image is a digital copy of the icon, it still deserves all of the respect that is afforded an icon. You would never think of writing on an actual icon, so why are people putting typing on photos of icons? It is improper and has to stop! There is a proper way to use icons for memes and an improper way to use them for memes. Most of the memes do it improperly. The proper way to use icons for memes, one which is respectful of the icon and still communicates the message the poster wants to send is to put a border around the image of the icon and put the writing in the border. This is exemplified by the third image in this post.
Please, stop disgracing holy images!
