~The word comes from the Greek language. Eikon* means simply image. Icons are religious painting of God or Jesus, or even Saints. It can’t be an icon of a clown or anything else, it has to be religious. The painters use rich colors & they use real gold in the pictures-it’s called gold leaf-very pretty.
	Title: Annunciation Artist: Dorothy Thane Location: Narthex of STM Catholic Chapel- Decatur GA
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."
	In this icon- The Annunciation, the archangel Gabriel fly’s or appears from the left, starching forth his right hand in a relaxed gesture and holding a long a staff in his left. I the Gospel he tells the Virgin Mary the message of salvation: 'Stop, you are highly favored, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among all women.' The Virgin Mary on the right receives the glad tidings/ wonderful gift seated on a backless throne, holding her staff and red thread, turning her body and bowing her head towards the angel. In the corners, two tall, complex buildings, chained by a light green wall with rectangular niches, provide the spatial setting for the scene.
My personal responses to studying these icons are, 1. I thought that this could be kind of boring, but now, that I’m getting more into it, and enjoying it. It’s actually very cool and interesting to me. And seeing some in person and have the artist talk to you about it, it’s very cool. Now I’m more interested in studying the icons now.
	http://www.culture.gr/2/21/218/218ab/e218ab58.html http://www.printeryhouse.org/mall/Icons/Mary/a01.asp
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