Icons and Saints

I was listening to a podcast of Frederica Matthewes-Green contemplating the Dormition (the death of Mary) as she cared for her own aging mother.
Until now, I did not know that there was an icon depicting the death of the Theotokos (God-bearer) and I think that is sad. I think I am a better person, and a better Christian, for being made aware of the tradition of John caring for Mary until her death, and for seeing it depicted in an icon.
I am sad for all that we as Protestants have lost in casting aside icons and saints. With the tradition of patron saints comes a knowledge that all of life can be brought into service of God. Patrick’s experiences as a slave are redeemed when he brings the gospel to Ireland, the land that had held him captive. St. Martin of Tours, the patron saint of beggars and soldiers, was approached by a beggar, and having nothing to give but the clothes on his back, he cut his own cloak in half and gave it to the beggar.
Women, neglected and abused in countless religions, both ancient and modern, find a place in the Christian tradition equal to that of men. They stand as saints beside their brothers in Christ, and so St. Brigid is respected as a patron saint of Ireland beside St. Patrick. St. Nina took the gospel to Georgia (the country, not the state) and St. Clare ministered alongside St. Francis.
Mothers, fathers, doctors, carpenters, teachers – they all find a kindred spirit in the lives of the saints. They are told, “What you do has worth” when they see icons of their patron saints. We are reminded that the saints of God are ordinary people, like us, and at the same time, role models, living the lives that we want to live, examples of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
I am sorry that we as Protestants have lost, in losing icons, depictions of the people who have gone before us, and the scenes, both dramatic and humble, that made their lives so captivating. How much easier to teach a congregation of the importance of caring for their elderly parents, to believe even the pain in our lives is touched with divine grace and meaning, when you can point to the image of Mary in her bed, surrounded by the disciples and say, “See? Even the very Mother of God grew old and needed care. Even the great Apostle John knew the bittersweet pain of caring for an elderly parent. And even the Apostles gathered around her and mourned her death.”