In Greek Orthodox tradition, on the first Sunday after October 11, the Seventh Ecumenical Council is celebrated. This year the feast falls today, Sunday October 13, 2019.
Occurring in 787 AD, the hard trials and tortures of iconoclasm came to an end for the time being. With God’s grace, Empress Irene, the Patriarch of Constantinople St. Tarasios and her son Constantine VI called this council of 350 Bishops and 17 priests to gather and speak. The meetings started on September 24 and lasted until October 13.
The Seventh Ecumenical Council decided that the veneration of icons was not worship of the icons, but honor given to Christ, the Panagia or the Saints who gave their whole life unto Christ our God. The veneration is not to the wood or paint, but to the holiness of their lives. Icons also allow us to see Christ, our Lord and Savior, as man. It brings our minds closer to understanding the mysteries of the faith. All were now granted freedom to venerate the icons again as the council made it legal.
Many martyrs came from the heretic rulers of iconoclasm that lasted for more than 50 years. Rejoice for the freedom had been granted!