On Holy Images

by John of Damascus

Publisher:

Thomas Baker

, 1898

Overview

Responding to the edict by the Byzantine Emperor Leo III banning the veneration or exhibition of holy images, St. John Damascene penned a defense of holy images that garnered his reputation as an important thinker and writer. In On Holy Images, Allies provides an English translation from the original Greek of John Damascene’s classic text, as well as translating three sermons on the Assumption of Mary.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Of old, God the incorporeal and uncircumscribed was never depicted. Now, however, when God is seen clothed in flesh, and conversing with men, I make an image of the God whom I see. I do not worship matter, I worship the God of matter, who became matter for my sake, and deigned to inhabit matter, who worked out my salvation through matter. I will not cease from honouring that matter which works my salvation. I venerate it, though not as God.” (Pages 15–16)

“Would you say that the ark and staff and mercy-seat were not made? Are they not produced by the hand of man? Are they not due to what you call contemptible matter? What was the tabernacle itself? Was it not an image? Was it not a type and a figure?” (Pages 14–15)

“But the law was not an image. It shrouded the image. In the words of the same Apostle, the law contains the shadow of the goods to come, not the image of those things.” (Page 15)

“If, therefore, Holy Scripture, providing for our need, ever putting before us what is intangible, clothes it in flesh, does it not make an image of what is thus invested with our nature, and brought to the level of our desires, yet invisible?” (Page 11)

“We do not change the boundaries marked out by our fathers: we keep the tradition we have received. If we begin to lay down the law to the Church, even in the smallest thing, the whole edifice will fall to the ground in no short time.” (Page 71)

A translation of the treatise on holy images by the last of the great Greek Fathers, who is at the same time the definite forerunner of the speculative method inaugurated by the scholastics of the Middle Ages, has a special interest and significance for our time.

—The American Ecclesiastical Review

The Damascene’s polemic is of great historical as well as dogmatic interest. It deserves attention for its argument, its style, and its effects.

—The Critical Review of Theological and Philosophical Literature

Product Details

• Title: On Holy Images
• Author: St. John Damascene
• Translator: Mary H. Allies
• Publisher: Thomas Baker
• Publication Date: 1898
• Pages: 145

About John of Damascus

Saint John of Damascus (c. 676 – 4 December 749) was a Syrian Christian monk and priest. Born and raised in Damascus, he died at his monastery, Mar Saba, near Jerusalem. A polymath whose fields of interest and contribution included law, theology, philosophy, and music, before being ordained, he served as a Chief Administrator to the Muslim caliph of Damascus, wrote works expounding the Christian faith, and composed hymns which are still in everyday use in Eastern Christian monasteries throughout the world. The Catholic Church regards him as a Doctor of the Church, often referred to as the Doctor of the Assumption due to his writings on the Assumption of Mary.

Born: c. 676 AD, DamascusDied: December 4, 749, Mar Saba, JerusalemVenerated in: Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Churches, Lutheran Church, Anglican Communion, Canonized Pre-CongregationFeast: December 4, March 27)