Pope Shenouda III
In venerating pictures, we are in effect venerating their owners. When we kiss the Gospel, we show our love to the word of God and to God who gave us His commandments for our guidance. When we bow down before the cross, we bow down, as one of the Fathers said, “to Him who is crucified on it”. The commandment “You shall not bow down to them or serve them”, does not apply to us at all when we do these things.
