Britannica
Sources used in this answer
When did Leo III publicly oppose the use of religious images?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Leo III
Leo III, gold solidus from Constantinople, 717–741.
Leo III began to speak out publicly against the use of sacred pictures in 726. This marked the beginning of his stance against the veneration of icons, which later culminated in 730 when he officially proclaimed Iconoclasm as imperial policy, mandating the removal and destruction of religious images in churches.12