Iconodules are individuals who support the use of religious images or icons in worship and devotion. They believe that these visual representations can help convey spiritual truths and enhance the experience of faith. Iconodules argue that icons serve as important tools for teaching and connecting with the divine. The term "iconodule" is often contrasted with "iconoclasts," who oppose the use of religious images, viewing them as potential distractions or even idolatrous. This debate was particularly significant during the Byzantine Empire, where the use of icons in the Eastern Orthodox Church sparked intense theological and political conflicts.