On Sunday, March 9, 2025, Patriarch Daniel of Romania delivered a sermon at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, highlighting the significance of the Orthodox icon as a testimony of the true faith.
“The Orthodox icon is a confession of the true faith, that is, a declaration of the divinity of Jesus Christ, who became man for the salvation of humankind,” Patriarch Daniel emphasized during his homily.
Reflecting on the Gospel reading of the day, he noted that “faith is a vision beyond sensory perception, beyond what the physical eyes can see. It is a spiritual vision that allows the believer to perceive the presence of the invisible God.”
The Patriarch recalled the moment when Nathanael first met Christ and proclaimed, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God, You are the King of Israel!” This statement, he explained, “was a profession of faith in the divinity of Jesus Christ, acknowledging that He is not merely a man, but the eternal God, who, out of love for humanity, became what He loved—man.”
Sunday of Orthodoxy: A Triumph of Faith
Patriarch Daniel underscored the meaning of the First Sunday of Great Lent, known as the Sunday of Orthodoxy, which commemorates the restoration of holy icons.
“Orthodoxy is particularly known for its use of icons in worship. In the Orthodox Church, icons are not merely decorative elements; they are visual confessions of faith,” he explained.
“Just as the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed is a verbal confession of faith, the icon is a visual confession of faith,” the Patriarch stated. “The content of the Gospel, expressed in words, is the same as the sacred and complete content of Orthodox iconography, which is expressed through images.”
He further noted that “when we see an icon in the church, we understand that it is a testimony to the truth that the invisible and infinite Son of God became visible and took on human form out of love for our salvation.”
Icons: A Call to Prayer and a Glimpse of Heavenly Glory
Beyond their doctrinal significance, icons serve as a call to prayer and a glimpse into the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven.
“An icon is not merely a museum object in the Church, meant to be analyzed for its historical period or artistic style. Instead, it is an encounter with the person depicted. This is why we make the sign of the cross and kiss the icon—because we are meeting Christ, the Mother of God, or the saint represented,” the Patriarch explained.
He also highlighted the prophetic role of icons: “In the Orthodox Church, the icon is a prophetic vision of the future glory and beauty of the Kingdom of Heaven.”
“Thus, in a beautifully painted church, we can say, as the liturgical hymn states: ‘Standing in the temple of Your glory, we think ourselves in heaven.'”
Quoting Saint Germanos, Patriarch of Constantinople, the Patriarch added: “A beautifully adorned Orthodox Church is heaven on earth. Through the beauty of Orthodox icons, we glimpse and taste the splendor of the Kingdom of Heaven.”
The Sunday of Orthodoxy also marked a personal milestone for Patriarch Daniel, as it commemorates the anniversary of his episcopal ordination. This year, he celebrated 35 years since his consecration as a bishop.
The Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral was co-celebrated by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishops Varlaam of Ploiești and Paisie of Sinaia.
Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu
