The first thing any person encounters in a temple is a huge number of sacred images - icons. Holy images have a great sacred meaning for every Christian, and it is not surprising that dozens of them are kept in the homes of believers. When buying icons in church shops, we often face the problem that it is not so easy to choose one from the number that is on the shelves. Icons differ in price, size, iconographic style, decoration, etc. So what is the difference between expensive and cheap icons, between handwritten and printed ones? Does the size of an icon affect its beneficial effect on a person? We will try to find answers to these and other questions.
Is grace given from all icons?
The worship of the image goes back to the prototype - with such a rule one can generalize the dogmas of icon veneration in the Orthodox Church. Saluting an icon, a person honors not the board covered with paints, but the Lord depicted on it, or the saints. Therefore, the church's attitude to the icon has nothing to do with idolatry.
Through the icon, a person participates in the World of Heaven, through it he receives grace from God, therefore, holy images for all Orthodox are a great shrine. By means of icons, the Creator gives His grace-filled gifts to all converts. It is impossible to count all those cases of healings, all kinds of miracles that believers receive from God through holy images.
The question arises: is there a difference between icons, which icons are better? It is necessary to remember the principle that all icons are miraculous and holy for the reason that they bear in themselves a part of the divine power depicted on it, as St. John of Damascus spoke about this.
The only criterion that divides icons is the presence of canons of icon painting, which determine the correctness of the iconographic image. In the church there is a rite of consecration of icons, what is it for if the icon is already a shrine? The consecration of icons is evidence of its canonicity. If these canons are observed, any icon can become a "window" to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Expensive or cheap, written or printed?
So, if through all the icons, the Lord can send His grace to people, what kind of icon should you choose when buying in a church store, expensive or cheap, written or printed? There is a 
definition of the holy fathers of the VII Ecumenical Council, which not everyone pays attention to, but it is very important in the issue of modern icon veneration. This rule prescribes to Christians that all sacred images should be made of durable materials: wooden boards, smalt (for mosaics), etc. Because the image of the Lord, angels and saints should resist the destructive effect of time for as long as possible.
definition of the holy fathers of the VII Ecumenical Council, which not everyone pays attention to, but it is very important in the issue of modern icon veneration. This rule prescribes to Christians that all sacred images should be made of durable materials: wooden boards, smalt (for mosaics), etc. Because the image of the Lord, angels and saints should resist the destructive effect of time for as long as possible.
Unfortunately, many believers keep small paper icons, iconographic images from calendars, and the like. Over time, they deteriorate, so for a long time cannot serve. We should avoid such "collecting" in every possible way, and it is better for manufacturers not to manufacture at all, as this is breaking the rules of the holy fathers. When choosing an icon, you need to pay attention to this, it is better to buy an image that can last for years.
In this aspect, the painting of the icon in the icon case serves as a guarantee of durability. These icons can be ordered from our Axios online store. In the catalog of goods, you can choose the written images of any saint, created according to all Orthodox canons. Such an icon will become the main shrine of every family and will be passed on from generation to generation. Also available: icons made of mosaic, amber, metal, as well as hand-painted on stone.
The value of the icon does not affect its gracious help from the Lord. But you still need to protect yourself from buying short-lived icons, which often cost very little.
With proper storage, printed icons can be used, best of all if such an image is in a case under glass or made on any basis, so that it will serve for a long time.
In our store you can also buy budget versions of lithographic images. Here, the advantage is that they are much cheaper than the written ones and the choice is much greater.
These icons are made mechanically using modern technologies, are made in high quality, and they have rich and bright colors.
Big or small?
The size of the icon does not matter, a large icon is not more "blessed" than a small one. An amazing story is connected with this, described in the Athos patericon, when a monk from the monastery of St. Dionysius refused to venerate the icon of St. Simon the Myrrh-streaming, whose day was celebrated on that day. And all because it was not large. And then, after the divine service, in a dream a terrible serpent appeared to the monk, who promised to devour him for such neglect of the icon, the negligent novice called for help to Saint Simon and the vision disappeared. Having instantly awakened, he went with horror to the church, where, kneeling before the image of the monk, he kissed him with love. This wonderful legend shows that with the warmth of faith and reverence, it is necessary to give worthy honor to the saints and their sacred faces, regardless of whether they are small or large.
In terms of the dimension of the icon, it all depends on where it will be used. The home iconostasis or "red corner" is mainly filled with not very large icons of the same size, this option is most suitable for the prayer rule.
Since the time of ancient Russia, it has been customary to use a "measured" icon, which depicts the patron saint of a newborn baby. Measured icons are painted on boards in the height of the baby, and are the best gift for the day of his Baptism.
Outcome
The icon occupies a special place in the Orthodox tradition, and we, as members of the Church, have no right to profane such a phenomenon as the correct veneration of icons.
Not every image on a religious theme can be considered an icon, here a person must be guided by the canons of icon painting, which provide criteria for the correctness of iconography.
When choosing an icon, first of all, one should pay attention to the practical application of sacred images; it should be convenient for prayer. To do this, it is better to choose icons of medium size and made of durable materials, while the cost of the holy images does not matter.
