My mom ran across this blog yesterday and it is so neat. I spent a lot of time talking to Virgil and his family at our Church Festival . I was working in the Church bookstore, which is in the Narthex of the Church; I talked to him both days he visited and heard the tour he heard. It is interesting to read his thoughts on Orthodoxy and Orthodox theology. As I recall he was Romanian, I pray he comes back to his roots and the ancient Christian Church.
Here is a bit of what he says on his blog.
“Besides enjoying the food, we sat through a presentation regarding the Greek Orthodox Church, and an explanation of the church icons. Most of the stuff was not new to me, but the tour guide pointed out some very cool things about the iconography. Being of course an eastern church, complex concepts are being communicated not through elaborate speeches and verbal presentations but through paintings and images.
What we see in an icon is a picture that gives the believer enough latitude to interpret scripture and adopt theological concepts without being forced into the mold of a creed written in stone. Eastern Orthodox churches are highly independent and free to elect their own bishops and deacons, and also flexible when it comes to one’s theology differing from the official church line.
For example, the presentation of Christ’s resurrection is more or less a presentation of the entire theological system of the church. We see Christ being raised from the black grave breaking the chains of death and with His feet standing on the broken gates of Hades. Furthermore, Christ’s resurrection has a much more universal application than in evangelicalism. Jesus turns to His right and is holding Adam not by his hand, but by his wrist, indicating that the work of redemption is Christ’s alone, and not Adam’s or man’s. The arm on which Jesus is holding Adam is turned slightly blue, in contrast to his black or dark robe, indicating the start of redemption for Adam’s race. Behind Adam we see other “holy people” representing believers, while on His left Eve awaits her own redemption with a group of nonbelievers behind her. This is representative of the universal nature of Christ’s redemption, affecting all mankind, not just Christians.
Christ carries a cross, the symbol of His life and victory, not of His death. He irradiates a bright light that forever broke the darkness of death, a light that illuminates the New Jerusalem and the world. As in all other icons, Christ’s halo bears a cross and the Greek letters omicron, omega, nu, which spell “ho on” meaning literally “who am” – a reference to Exodus 3:14, “I am who I am.”
As you can see, every little detail in an icon has a deep theological meaning, and the icon tells an important story, of both literary and theological importance. Creating the icon assures the continuance of the narrative throughout history, culture and tradition, which explains why icons are venerated (not worshipped as the misconception goes).
The weekend was a blast. I even lit a candle in the church, which will probably send me straight to the American evangelical hell, and if that didn’t do it, the incense burning will certainly seal my fate. 
Joking aside, I encourage those who can to visit an Eastern Orthodox Church if possible and learn more about the history. It’s rich in tradition and can help you learn more about where we come from as Christians, and if anything, it will help you understand what Christianity should be all about. The church is the place where we are born, baptized, get married, have children and die. The church is really the center of life, were we can pray, but also dance, sing and feast together. Really, the church is where we enjoy and live our lives. “
