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Icons

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

The question

I have seen Coptic icons of two dog-headed saints by the names of Ahraqas and Awghani, but I never hear about the Church recognizing them or referring to dog-headed people at all. I saw an icon of St. Christopher depicted as having a dog-head along with many other depictions from the Ethiopian Church, the Armenian Church, and others. Who are these saints and why do we not recognize them? Why do we (Copts) not depict people as dog headed?

The answer

Coptic iconography is unique in that the icon is not intended to be merely viewed but rather to be read. The persons in the icon look like the icon of Christ. Thus, the iconographer creates the image of Christ first, then uses the same features for the saints and angels in the icon. The saints reflect the Lord Jesus Christ in His image, by their lives, faith, and deed.
 
According to the Coptic Orthodox Synaxarion, St. Christopher was martyred in the third century. Please read the following links:
https://st-takla.org/Full-Free-Coptic-Books/Coptic-Synaxarium-or-Synaxarion_English/08-Bermodah/Coptic-Calendar_02-Baramouda.html
http://www.stabanoub-dallas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=105:saint-christopher&catid=42:Cop_Saints_cat&Itemid=55
 
The Roman Catholic Church also commemorates St. Christopher as a martyr. However, the iconography they use weaves some legend with his biography. These depictions are not used in Coptic Orthodox iconography but might be used by other churches.

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

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 2464 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.