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Byzantine iconography is the oldest and only Christian art form which has continued unchanged for the past 2000 years. The Eastern Orthodox believe that the first icons of Christ and the Virgin Mary were painted by St. Luke the Evangelist. St. Luke is the Patron Saint of iconographers.

Byzantine iconography is the oldest and only Christian art form which has continued unchanged for the past 2000 years. The Eastern Orthodox believe that the first icons of Christ and the Virgin Mary were painted by St. Luke the Evangelist. St. Luke is the Patron Saint of iconographers.

Iconography is considered to have begun the day our Lord Jesus Christ pressed a cloth to His face and imprinted His divine-human image thereon<ref>This is according to tradition the Veil of Veronica ("true image") which she offered in pity to the Lord with which He (or she) wiped the sweat and spit from His face, also simply called the Veronica. [http://www.catholictradition.org/Christ/veronica.htm The Holy Face: Veil of Veronica (catholictraditon.org)]</ref>. According to Tradition, Luke the Evangelist painted the image of the Mother of God; and, also according to tradition, there still exist today many Icons which were painted by him. An artist, he painted not only the first Icons of the Mother of God, but also those of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, as well as possibly, others.

Iconography is considered to have begun the day our Lord Jesus Christ pressed a cloth to His face and imprinted His divine-human image thereon<ref>This is according to tradition the Veil of Veronica ("true image") which she offered in pity to the Lord with which He (or she) wiped the sweat and spit from His face, also simply called the Veronica. [http://www.catholictradition.org/Christ/veronica.htm The Holy Face: Veil of Veronica (catholictraditon.org)]</ref>. According to Tradition, Luke the Evangelist painted the image of the Mother of God; and, also according to tradition, there still exist today many Icons which were painted by him. An artist, he painted not only the first Icons of the Mother of God, but also those of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, as well as possibly, others. Many early Church fathers from the 2nd century through the 3rd and 4th centuries before the time of [[Constantine]] supported the "underground" (literally, in the catacombs) use of relics, statues and images including icons.<ref>[https://practicalapologetics.blogspot.com/2013/07/early-church-fathers-on-relics-statues.html Early Church Fathers on Relics, Statues and Images (practicalapologetics.blogspot.com)] ''Includes [[Apologetics|apologetic]] quotations from [[Ante-Nicene Fathers]] in support of the use of images in early Christian worship and devotion''.</ref>

Iconography did not develop further during the time of the Roman persecutions, but Christians did attempt to express in symbols what they wished to convey. Christ was portrayed as the Good Shepherd and in the guise of various personalities from pagan mythology. Then, when Constantine became emperor, Christians were free to express themselves. As Christianity quickly transformed the Roman Empire and replaced paganism, iconography flourished with full force. Directives concerning Iconography were recorded in the first ecumenical councils.

Iconography did not develop further during the time of the Roman persecutions, but Christians did attempt to express in symbols what they wished to convey. Christ was portrayed as the Good Shepherd and in the guise of various personalities from pagan mythology. Then, when Constantine became emperor, Christians were free to express themselves. As Christianity quickly transformed the Roman Empire and replaced paganism, iconography flourished with full force. Directives concerning Iconography were recorded in the first ecumenical councils.