Number DOI: http://doi.org/10.33209/2519-4348-2707-9627-2022-10-112

VB. – № 10, 2022. – P. 31-45

Summary

The analysis of functional aspect of icon is of particular importance for understanding its meaning and purpose. In this context, the study of icon functions, the identification of their unique specificity are updated. The purpose of our article is to systematize the main icon functions in the context of the analysis of their theological interpretation. It is substantiated that the issue of functional purpose of icon was of great importance for Christian culture and constantly attracted the attention of theologians. The analysis of icon functions proves that they are significantly different from the functions of secular art. The functional purpose of icons goes far beyond their material concreteness, artistic qualities and even religious and cult context. Their functional specificity is determined, in our opinion, by the special ontological and axiological status of icon as a form of sacred art. It is the ontological connection of the icon with the sacred prototype that enables its main ritual and sacral functions: dogmatic, liturgical, prayerful, charismatic, anagogical, miracle-working. Icons also have such common functions of art as didactic, informative, commemorative, compensatory, cognitive, aesthetic, etc. However, the content and nature of such icon functions are quite specific. Their specificity was determined by the essential connection of icon with its prototype and the ontological nature of the experience of communication with God mediated by them. All functions of sacred art are closely related; they not only interact, but also mutually condition each other. Therefore, they must be highlighted in inseparable unity and dialectical interaction. The main functional purpose of icon is to represent the Divine, to express the holy, to actualize its presence in the dimension of human life, which integrates the fullness of its various functional aspects. A promising direction for further research on this issue is a comparative analysis of the positions of representatives of Orthodox and Catholic theology regarding the functions of church images.

Key words: icon, icon functions, the sacred, sacral art, theological theory, ontology, representation.

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