Church Life
Can I give an icon to someone who isn't Orthodox?
I think this really falls under wisdom. What is wise to do? And the thing is, if you're giving someone an icon who is not going to appreciate or venerate the icon or display the icon, but potentially throw the icon away, then it would be unwise to give that person an icon. If you're giving somebody an icon who is going to cherish and take care of it, even if they don't venerate it, but they're willing to put it up in their house, it's totally acceptable. Before I converted, I bought icons and had icons hanging up in my apartment where my wife and I lived. I put an icon on the door to our apartment. As long as somebody understands the gravity of receiving an icon and how it should be treated, there's nothing wrong with giving them an icon. It's a great gift and a blessing to be able to give it to them. But if somebody doesn't understand the seriousness and the holiness of icons, it's best not to give them icons, so that they don't mistreat them or misuse them in any way.
Edited from his answer on camera. The clip has the full thing.
From “Live Q and A 12/11/25”
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