To this we answer: "If we take Germany, as not worshipping icons, and Russia, as venerating holy icons, then Russia in all respects stood above Germany."

Another question they asked: "If those who worship icons go to kill, debauchery, get drunk, use foul language, lie, - where is the miraculous power and why is it not reflected in the worshippers?"

Our answer: "From these sins are not exempt those who do not revere Iakon, but revere the Bible alone. But this does not mean that the Bible is to blame for their sinfulness and that it should be destroyed! In the same way, icons are not to blame for the fact that those who venerate them sin."

To the question of the sectarians: "Why were the icons, supposedly miraculous, not able to defend themselves when they were destroyed by the atheists?" we answer: "To demand a miracle from icons is analogous to the demand of the scribes and Pharisees, who mockingly addressed the crucified Jesus Christ with the words: He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and let us believe in Him (Matt. 27:42). Of those who do not want to believe even an obvious miracle, Christ Himself said: "If any man rise from the dead, they will not believe" (Luke 16:31).

Let us conclude our article with the decree of the Seventh Ecumenical Council: "We determine that holy and honorable icons should be offered for veneration in the same way as the image of the Precious Life-Giving Cross, whether they be painted with paints, or made of mosaic or any other substance, and will be found in the holy churches of God on consecrated vessels and vestments, on walls and on boards, or in houses and by the roads, and whether these icons will be of the Lord Jesus Christ, or of the Lady Mother of God, or of honorable angels, and of all holy and righteous men.

The more often with the help of icons they become objects of our contemplation, the more those who look at these icons are aroused to the remembrance of the prototypes themselves, acquire more love for them and receive more motivation to give them kissing and veneration and worship, but not that true service which, according to our faith, befits only the Divine nature. We all believe so, we all think so, we all agree on this. We receive honorable icons with love. Those who do otherwise shall be anathema! Whoever does not allow the Gospel narratives presented by painting is anathema! "Whoever does not kiss icons as made in the name of the Lord and His saints, to him is anathema!"

("Anathema" is a Greek word and means: excommunicated from the body of the Church).

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