Questions & Answers

Icons

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Prayer, Fasting and Worship › Icons

The question

Why does Saint Macarius’ icon have him portrayed with the palms of both his hands forward?

The answer

This is a contemporary icon. There is no certain explanation as to why he is depicted as standing with his palms in this manner. Ancient Coptic icons of Saint Macarius depict him with Saint Maximus and Saint Domitius, whom he referred to as his children.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Why is Jesus' shoe falling off in his picture with Saint Mary?
I know that icons are a hallmark of Orthodoxy. My question is how do we venerate icons? Is kissing the icon a necessary part of veneration or is it a customary thing? The…
What is the significance of the many icons of saints used by the Coptic Orthodox Church?

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 2153 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.