Five years ago on Testy Copy Editors:<p>
The Icon of St. Irene, a 300-year-old Greek painting that faithful believe miraculously wept here nine years ago, returned for a four-day ceremonial visit Friday.
Flown first-class by jet and wrapped in red velvet with
gold embroidery, the image was accompanied by an
entourage headed by Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana, abbot of the monastery in Astoria, N.Y. where the artwork usually is displayed. <p>***Icons do not weep. Repeat: ICONS DO NOT WEEP. There is no point in even suggesting the possibility that an icon might weep. Most "faithful" know that icons do not weep. Of the "faithful'' who say they believe that icons weep, most don't really believe it. All of the "faithful" who say icons weep, regardless of whether they believe it, are an embarrassment to the rest of the "faithful."***<p>[ May 01, 2004: Message edited by: blanp ]</p>