What was affirmed about the veneration of icons at the Second Council of Nicea?

The Second Council of Nicea, convened in 787, was a significant turning point in the Church's stance on the veneration of icons. This council affirmed that the veneration of icons was indeed an appropriate form of devotion. The bishops at the council emphasized that icons serve as important visual aids in the worship and can lead the faithful closer to God and the holy figures they represent. They recognized that the veneration bestowed upon the images was not equivalent to worshiping the actual wood or paint of the icons, but rather honoring the person depicted in the icon, such as Christ or the saints.

This affirmation was largely in response to the iconoclast movement, which had sought to destroy icons and decried their use as idolatrous. The council rejected these iconoclastic views, asserting that icons play a significant role in the life of the Church and its spiritual practices, thereby promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of the faith among believers. Thus, the council's decision underscores the importance of icons in Orthodox Christianity, solidifying their place within liturgical and devotional life.