orthodoxgladness:

The main thing in our Orthodox faith is not the golden domes and carved iconostasis, but the creation of man in Christ, the life in patience, humility and fear of God, in the preservation of conscience. – Priest Fedor Konyukhov

We can easily get caught up (either positively or negatively) in the trappings of our faith. We must always remember that each of these items – whether they be cathedrals or icons or crosses or statues – simply point us to God. They are markers on the road, signs on the way, that help us not to become confused and lost. All of our most beloved spiritual items will, in the end, pass away. Our souls wrapped in the crucified Savior, will live forever.