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From the first centuries of Christianity, icons have been used for prayer. Orthodox Tradition tells us, for example, of the existence of an icon of the Christ during his lifetime, the [[Image Not-made-by-hands|Icon-Not-Made-With-Hands]], and of the [[icons of the Theotokos]] immediately after him written by the All-laudable [[Apostle Luke|Apostle and Evangelist Luke]].
===The Icon of the Savior Not-made -by Jesus-hands, also Acheiropoieta===During the time of the earthly ministry of the Savior, Abgar, ruler in the Syrian city of Edessa, was afflicted with leprosy. Reports of the great miracles performed by the Lord extended throughout Syria (Matt. 4:24) and as far as Arabia at this time. Although not having seen the Lord, Abgar believed in him Him and wrote a letter requesting Christ to come and heal him. Abgar sent his court painter, Ananias, with this letter to Palestine telling him to paint an image of the Divine Teacher. Ananias was not able go to near Christ because of the great many people listening to his preaching. He attempted to produce an image of the Lord Jesus Christ from afar, but could not. The Lord called Ananias and promised to send his disciple in order to heal Abgar from the leprosy and instruct him in salvation. Then the Lord called for water and a towel. He wiped His face with the towel, and on it was His Divine Image.
The Savior sent the towel and a letter to Edessa back with Ananias. With thanksgiving Abgar received the sacred objects and started healing. He continued healing until the arrival of the disciple Thaddeus, Apostle of the 70. The Apostle preached the Gospel and baptized the Abgar and all living in Edessa.
The story is recorded by the 4th century Church historian, Eusebius of Cesarea.
Pictures of cherubim on temple door, on temple walls are mentioned in Old Testament in III Kings 6:29. If there would be an interdiction of all images, the groups claiming this interdiction would not use any images, photos or movies and Old Testament would probably not describe the Temple as having images of cherubim.
===Icons Other icons not made by hands===
There are several icons with unknown authors that were found done after people were praying.
*[[:Category:Iconographers]]
*[[List of modern iconographers]]
*[https://www.oca.org/saints/icons-mother-of-god List of Russian icons:]
==Published works==