Christians show reverence for icons in the same way they do the Cross, the Gospel and other holy things, by making the Sign of the Cross and bowing before them. Icons are not to be worshipped—our worship is saved for God alone—but they should be honored. The honor we pay them goes not to the wood and paint of the physical icon but goes beyond, to the Lord, or to the saints or angels depicted.
Orthodox Christians also have the custom of kissing icons. When Christ walked on earth, there were times when those who placed their hope in Him kissed Him. Later, after His Ascension, everything connected with Him was honored with a kiss. When we kiss an icon we bear witness to our holy Orthodox faith. The word Orthodox means “right worship.” In venerating and kissing icons we need only fear repeating Judas’ false kiss by venerating them in a careless or hasty manner. Venerate the icons with the warm-hearted love with which you would greet the saint in person.
God Himself ordained the veneration of holy icons. He ordered Moses to place two golden cherubim on either side of the Mercy Seat. According to tradition, Jesus Christ Himself healed Avgar, the Prince of Edessa, by sending him His holy image miraculously imprinted on a cloth (“Made-Without-Hands”). Three icons of the Most Holy Theotokos were painted by the evangelist, St. Luke, and, according to the testimony of St. John Damascene, the Apostles Peter and John built a church at Lydda in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos, in which there was a wonder-working icon of the Mother of God.
Icons show us pictures and lessons of the truths of our holy faith. It has also been pleasing to God to work many miracles and healings through some special icons, in order to awaken in believers a more fervent love for the Lord. These are called wonder-working icons.
“God is wondrous in His saints.”