“Symbol” – the Most Important Notion of Mystagogical Catechesis
The first one is a sacred symbol, just like almost every object contained within it. The second one, despite being (probably) consecrated according to the rituals in use and containing certain paintings with Christian content, is an unholy, profane building. Consecrating such an architectural monstrosity was as if someone had sprinkled holy water on the structure of a nuclear missile base. If such a thing were done (and we certainly know that terrible things have been done, like the “blessing” of Stalin’s statue or of a night club), no one would ever dare to say that the power plant’s architecture had become a sacred place. Only when the principles of Catholic sacred art are respected does the architecture, furniture, statues, images, and other religious objects become true religious symbols. [i]