Which phrase best describes the term icon?

a. a painting on wood that depicts christian holy figures or religious events

b. a bas-relief in islamic art that illustrates scenes from muhammad's life

c. a statue that portrays one of the ancient greek gods of olympus

d. a scroll containing the hebrew text of a book from the old testament

The correct option is A

An icon that literally means "image", is a work of religious art of Eastern Christianity in which Jesus, Mary, saints, angels, biblical events, etc. are represented. The icon is used in prayer. During prayer, the believer prays in the presence of the icon, but does not pray to the icon. He is venerated (respected, but not worshiped) by Orthodox Christians. Generally, the icon is a painting on a flat panel, but it can also be in relief and be made of metal, carved in stone, embroidered, made of paper, mosaic, embossed, etc.