Lecture 12 Notes

The iconoclastic controversies spanned approximately 117 years, starting in the mid-seventh century and culminating in the early ninth century.
Originated from differing beliefs about the role and use of religious imagery in the Byzantine Church.

By the seventh century, visual arts were commonly accepted in Christian tradition despite some historical opposition.
- Eusebius of Caesarea advised against the creation of religious images.
- Council of Elvira (circa 306) prohibited religious images in churches.
The use of imagery became widespread, especially after Justinian I's reign (527-565).

Proskinesis: Emerged as a form of veneration towards images.
- Included gestures such as kneeling or bowing in reverence.
Different forms of representation began to be discussed.
- Julia Julian of Atremition (6th century): Accepted frescoes and panels but condemned three-dimensional sculptures.
Justinian II: Initiated the use of Christ's image on coins, altering previous imperial symbolic norms.

Council in Trullo (692): Aimed to regulate image use; mandated depicting Christ as a natural human rather than symbolically.
- Provoked a backlash in the West, especially from Pope Sergius I who reinstated symbolic images like the Lamb of God in reference to Christ.

Islamic forces posed threats to the Byzantine Empire, creating an atmosphere of turmoil.
The caliph condemned all forms of religious imagery, influencing iconoclast sentiment within the empire.
Monophysitism, which rejected the idea of dual natures in Christ, contributed to the prevailing opposition against religious imagery.

Inspired by biblical kings Hezekiah and Josiah, Leo III sought to establish a similar anti-idolatry campaign.
Initiated iconoclasm around the 720s, focusing on literal interpretations of the second commandment against graven images.
Ordered the destruction of the Chilake icon (726), marking the official start of iconoclastic controversies.

Iconoclasts: Aimed to eliminate religious imagery, arguing that lifeless images could not represent the divine, associating them with paganism.
- Believed that true veneration pointed only to the divine, especially through the Eucharist.
Iconophiles: Defended the use of images based on Jesus’ incarnation making Him visible,
- Argued veneration was distinct from worship, viewing the act of venerating an icon as directed towards the person it represents, not the image itself.

John of Damascus: Prominent iconophile defending imagery and articulating theological justifications.
Pope Gregory II: Argued against the imperial decree of iconoclasm, asserting the church's authority to decide on doctrinal controversies.

The conflict evolved with each emperor setting differing religious policies, leading to councils that further defined the positions of both groups.
Theological arguments were often rooted in prior Christological controversies, especially regarding nature and essence.

After a series of contentious reigns, Irene (regent for her son) called the Second Council of Nicaea (787) to solidify the iconophile stance.
- Resulted in decrees that favor the use and veneration of icons, but not without opposition from Frankish and other Western churches.
The iconoclastic movement continued intermittently until the eventual solidification of iconophilia under Theodora and her son.

Iconoclasm was an extensive and complex issue within the Byzantine Church that intertwined theological, political, and social threads, ultimately resolved only with the establishment of punitive measures against iconoclasts and recognition of icon veneration practices.