Q&A Home > I > Icons

• I have seen Coptic icons of two dog-headed saints by the names of Ahraqas and Awghani, but I never hear about the Church recognizing them or referring to dog-headed people at all. I saw an icon of St. Christopher depicted as having a dog-head along with many other depictions from the Ethiopian Church, the Armenian Church, and others. Who are these saints and why do we not recognize them? Why do we (Copts) not depict people as dog headed?
• I know that icons are a hallmark of Orthodoxy. My question is how do we venerate icons? Is kissing the icon a necessary part of veneration or is it a customary thing? The coronavirus causes me to think of this. I know nothing bad can come from the Eucharist because it is actually God, but what about the kissing of icons.
• What is the significance of the many icons of saints used by the Coptic Orthodox Church?
• Why are crosses and images used for worship in our church when Holy Book of Exodus 20:4, Holy Book of Leviticus 26:1, Holy Book of 2 Corinthians 6:16, and Holy Book of 1 John 5:21 specifically say not to use them?
• Why does Saint Macarius’ icon have him portrayed with the palms of both his hands forward?
• Why is Jesus' shoe falling off in his picture with Saint Mary?