ICONS Icons, or Holy Pictures, are symbolic interpretations depicting saints or holy events serving to remind the Orthodox faithful of dedication to God, and to encourage the faithful to emulate virtues of the saints, thereby glorifying God. The Orthodox Church emphasizes that icons are to be honored, but not worshipped, since only God is worshipped. SAINTS The Church bestows Sainthood on those men and women who have dedicated their lives to God or died a martyr’s death defending the ideals of the Christian faith and practice. The faithful petition the saints to intercede with God on their behalf. Their lives are shining examples for Christians to follow giving them inspiration and courage. ANGELS Angels are invisible spirits which are usually represented with wings to indicate the speed with which they carry messages from God to man. Angels are also depicted as small children to indicate that they are without sin and that they possess eternal youth. The number of angels is probably beyond count, but only three of them – Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael – are known by name. The Scriptures frequently refer to multitudes of angels and there is a personal guardian angel for all. In types, there is a wide variation of angels; there are nine classes or choirs of them. Included are Angels, Archangels, Principalities, Powers, Virtues, Dominations, Thrones, Seraphim and Cherubim. Angels are endowed with knowledge far superior to that of man; they know all things that happen on earth. They are also endowed with great strengths indicated by the ease with which an angel at the resurrection rolled away the huge stone sealing the sepulchre of Christ. There are also evil angels who, headed by Lucifer, do the bidding of Satan.