#iconodule

some rome. still cant believe i saw the tomb of st. gaybastian

In traditions that believe in all of them, angels, saints, and martyrs all reside in heaven and can be prayed through, like icons, to present a prayer to God. They may even assist in the fulfillment of prayers. Iconographic records are also used to depict their lives and figures in manuscripts, stained glass, and other forms of art (Williams, 6). As such they have all been venerated by pilgrims and devotees through prayers, chants, offerings, penance, and many other ways (Williams, 6). Since they are not God himself, their depictions for the most part have not been seen as breaking the law of Exodus 20:4. There have, however, been disputes of this, especially in relation to angels. However, in 787 CE the Second Council of Nicaea decreed the depiction of angels to be lawful (Godwin, 155).