Why do Orthodox Kiss Icons?

Why do Orthodox kiss icons? We, brothers and sisters, venerate icons by kissing to show love to God, but not to wood and paints. Icons are a primary way that we communicate our love for God Himself, the Mother of God and the Saints. The son serves in the army and sends his mother a photo. And the mother, shedding tears, kisses this piece of paper with her son’s photo on it. Does mother love paper? No. A mother cries and kisses the image of her son. Metropolitan Arsseny © Свято-Успенская Святогорская Лавра, 2023 #Лавра_Святогорская #Лаврский_видеоархив_2023 #Лавра #Lavra #Святогорск #Святогірськ #Svyatogorsk