Canon LXXXII.
In
some pictures of the
venerable icons, a lamb is painted to which the Precursor points his
finger, which is received as a type of grace, indicating beforehand
through the Law, our true Lamb, Christ our God. Embracing
therefore the ancient types and shadows as symbols of the truth, and
patterns given to the Church, we prefer “grace and truth,”
receiving it as the fulfilment of the Law. In order therefore
that “that which is perfect” may be delineated to the eyes
of all, at least in coloured expression, we decree that the figure in
human form of the Lamb who taketh away the sin of the world, Christ our
God, be henceforth exhibited in images, instead of the ancient lamb, so
that all may understand by means of it the depths of the humiliation of
the Word of God, and that we may recall to our memory his conversation
in the flesh, his passion and salutary death, and his redemption which
was wrought for the whole world.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
LXXXII.
Thou shalt not paint a lamb for the type of Christ, but
himself.
As from this canon, a century earlier than the
iconoclastic controversy, the prevalence of pictures is evident, so
from the canon of the same synod with regard to the veneration due to
the image of the cross (number lxxiii.), we learn that the teaching of
the Church with regard to relative worship was the same as was
subsequently set forth, so that the charge of innovating, sometimes
rashly brought against the Seventh Ecumenical Council, has no
foundation in fact whatever.
This canon is further interesting as being the one cited
by more than one Pope and Western Authority as belonging to “the
Sixth Synod.”