Hello,

I recently purchased a few icons off of ebay since there are no nearby stores to buy them. They are advertised as orthodox icons and some say they have been blessed. But I have read that there are original _style_ and modern _style_ icons - how can you tell for sure what you have? Are the modern _style_ ones okay for use as icons, or should they just be decorative art? I also read somewhere that you really should buy icons from a monastery?

I guess what are basic tips (if any) for buying an icon?

Thanks for your help!