“Christ between Peter

& Paul: Detailed

image”
REMINDER
Sacred images
are not to be 1. If anyone does not confess that Christ our
absolutely God can be represented in his humanity, let
considered as him be anathema.
idolatrous since it 2. If anyone does not accept representation
does not constitute in art of evangelical scenes, let him be
depiction of false anathema.
beings. Our sacred 3. If anyone does not salute such
images depict actual beings that reminds us representations as standing for the Lord and
of living a virtuous life. As we gaze upon his saints, let him be anathema.
their beauty, we are reminded of our 4. If anyone rejects any written or unwritten
christian goal in life. Remember, we do not tradition of the church, let him be anathema.
render unto the image itself the respect or -Second Council of Nicaea (787 AD)-
veneration proper to actual persons, but to
the being that is represented (CCC 2132). “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm
Sacred Images fosters our faith when it and hold fast to the traditions that you
points symbolically toward salvation by the were taught by us, either by word of mouth
incarnate Word (CCC 2130). or by letter.”
(2 Thessalonian 2:15)
References:
1. Cartujano, 2018. https://bit.ly/2THGUzp
(www.dcfvanguards.com)
2. Hebrew definitions.
https://www.stepbible.org/
3. Jensen, 2000. Understanding Early
Christian Art. Routledge. ISBN 0415204542.
4. MacGillivray et al., 2018.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Co
nstantine-I-Roman-emperor Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us
5. Syndicus, 1962. Early Christian Art. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on
London: Burns & Oates. OCLC 333082. us
6. Lanciani, 1892. Pagan and Christian Rome,
p.357
7. Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 2132 Bro. Vince Eulo G. Ayeng
& 2130 chapter 2 sec. 1
8. Greek Spetuagint: Codex Vaticanus
9. Hebrew Original Texts: Leningrad Codex,
Aleppo Codex
10. Original Greek New Testament: Codex
Alexandrinus
11. Bill Mounce Greek Dictionary (BMGD).
https://www.billmounce.com/greek-
dictionary
 ONE HOLY CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC began to object the practice. images in the whole place of the temple
CHURCH They see it as a grave sin of (Ezekiel 41:1-9 NRSV).
Traditional Catholicism idolatry to which they
associate with the scriptures IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
CATHOLIC ICONOGRAPHY: (Exodus 20:1-5 NRSV). In the new testament we see the
RE-EXAMINING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT prefigured connection of one of the sacred
ITS ROOTS & BIBLICAL EVIDENCES In the original text of the said images in the Old testament. This image is
the brazen serpent which the Israelites had
commandment, distinction should be to gaze upon in order to be healed (Numbers
Bro. Vince Eulo G. Ayeng considered. The commandment states that 21:8-9). This is a prefigured graven image of
Traditional Catholic Layman graven images of idols are to be prohibited Christ the Lord crucified. The scriptures
which is if violated may incur succeeding stated “And just as Moses lifted up the
curses. The
“Lay persons are bound by the obligation and Hebrew word
possess the right to acquire knowledge of used that is
Christian doctrine appropriate to the capacity equivalent to
the referred Codex Vaticanus
and condition of each in order for them to be
able to live according to this doctrine, graven images
in the
announce it themselves, defend it if necessary,
and take their part in exercising the apostolate.”
-Canon Law 229 §1-
Leningrad Codex
commandment is ‫( פֶסל‬pesel) and not ‫מְקַ לַעת‬
(migla’at) (Exodus 20:1-5 & 1 Kings 6:29,
Leningrad Codex & Aleppo Codex). These
were referred by Duane Cartujano (2018) as
distinct words since ‫( פֶסל‬pesel) refers to
graven images depicting non-existent beings serpent in the wilderness so must the son of
(i.e., false gods)2 while ‫( מְקַ לַעת‬miqla’at) man be lifted up, that whoever believes in
refers to any engravings (e.g., cherubs). 2 The him may have eternal life” (St. John 3:14-15
commandment used the term ‫( פֶסל‬pesel), NRSV). This verse is interpreted by the
THE USE OF RELIGIOUS IMAGES therefore it is exclusively referring to false Church as the salvific act of Christ which is
In the church, since the first the crucifixion. This is the reason why we
gods or non- incorporated in our church, the use of
centuries of her establishment the use of existent beings crucifix with a
religious images have been practiced. Images and not to actual corpus (body). This
in the churches often depicts the life of persons (e.g., is also because
Christ in the scriptures period it also depicts Christ, Mary, Christ is the
significant symbols etc.). As stated
ЄΙΚωΝ (eikon;
such as the true, fish,
image)11 of the
earlier, the use of invisible God
pelican, cross, and etc. sacred images is (Colossians 1:15,
These images Aleppo Codex not prohibited as Codex
symbolize Christ long as it does not depict any false gods. Old Alexandrinus). If we are also to
salvific action in the interconnect the Old Testament with the
testament writings even showed God's New Testament, we can clearly see the use
church. It reminds the permission for the use of sacred images by of distinction between types of images. In
faithful’s redemption the Greek Septuagint Old Testament, the
the Israelites. This includes the making of
from God. But through used equivalent word for graven image is
bronze serpent (Numbers 21:7-9 NRSV), and
time, many religious sects emerged and εἴδωλον /ЄΙΔωΛΟΝ (eidolon; idol)11 not
ЄΙΚωΝ (Exodus 20:1-5, Codex
Vaticanus).

EARLY CHRISTIANS
Codex Alexandrinus
This practice of the use of sacred
images dated back to at least 260 and 525
AD (Jensen, 2000). The Early Christian
images have originated in the pre-
constantinian period, contrary to some
myths and claims since Constantine reigned
306 to 337 AD (MacGillivray et al., 2018).
One of the most famous pre-constantinian
sacred image is the “Good Shepherd” which
shows Christ depicted as shepherd of a flock
(Syndicus, 1962). Another example of an
early christian image is the “Christ between
Peter and Paul” that is dated back in the 4th
century AD (Lanciani, 1892). This only
shows christian back then don't have any
issues with regards to the use of sacred
images.