“Take an icon for example: it is made by hand out of wood and colors. It depicts the form of Christ, the Panagia or some saint. Whatever we do to this icon – even though it is something material – passes on to the prototype. That is where acts of reverence or irreverence go. Likewise, and Elder is an icon of God and in His image and place. For a disciple an Elder is even above a bishop. For other people he is nothing but for you a disciple he is everything.”
Ephraim of Arizona
~My Elder Joseph