I am approaching this topic from a protestant perspective! It is my humble attempt to find appropriate language to translate it's meaning, purpose and beauty for those that are new to it. I am hoping that it will act as a bridge for you to go deeper into the wonderful world of christian iconography. I have listed some great website below for you to check out.....In the end, orthodox theologians are going to go deeper than I am able to, so enjoy the rabbit trail😃

About halfway through this episode I unpack my own views on three icons, as a means of helping the listener to interpret and translate meaning. You will need to look at this icons as I talk, either printed off, or on a screen. Here are the links;

1. Jesus the Pantocrator

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_Pantocrator#/media/File:Jesus-Christ-from-Hagia-Sophia.jpg

2. The Trinity or Hospitality of Abraham (Rublev)

https://love2justice.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/the-holy-trinity-by-andrei-rublev/

3. The Baptism of Jesus or Theophany

https://saintaidan.ca/2021/12/28/theophany-icon-explained/

Orthodox Theologians;

Orthodox Theology - Vladimir Lossky

The Orthodox Way - Biship Kalistos Ware

A More Christlike God - Brad Jerszak

The Icon: Window on the Kingdom - Michel Quenot

Sites to check out.....

https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography

https://www.goarch.org/-/the-icon-of-the-resurrection

https://www.thesymbolicworld.com (and podcast) - Jonathon Pageau

https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/lordofspirits/ (podcast)

https://www.orthodoxroad.com/why-do-the-orthodox-have-icons/

The Creative Word is a podcast that explores a mix of theology, poetry and biblical story telling. An attempt to unpack the missional role of artists in the world.