What does the icon Christ Pantocrator signify?
Christ Pantocrator has come to suggest Christ as a mild but stern, all-powerful judge of humanity. When the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek as the Septuagint, Pantokrator was used both for YHWH Sabaoth “Lord of Hosts” and for El Shaddai “God Almighty”.
What does Pantocrator mean?
almighty ruler
: the omnipotent lord of the universe : almighty ruler —used especially of Christ the typical Byzantine icon presents Jesus as the Pantocrator … on his heavenly throne— F. B. Artz.
Who made Christ Pantocrator?
Feofan Grec
The iconography of this scene was developed in the early 15th century in Russia by the Byzantine artist Feofan Grec (Theophanes the Greek). The symbolic meaning of the composition finds its explanation in images of the Last Judgment, where Christ appears within a mandorla.
What motif did the Jesus pantokrator iconography reflect?
Christ Pantocrator “Pantocrator” means “All-Ruler.” This icon shows Christ as Creator, Savior, and Judge. He looks right at us in compassion, but demanding a response. His hand is raised in blessing. He holds the book of the Gospels, the good news of salvation for all who will receive Him.
Why is the Pantocrator portrayed at the highest point of the church?
Why is the Pantocrator portrayed at the highest point of the church? The hand of God sometimes appears above Jesus’ head at the apex of the apse as a sign of divine approval. The image of Christ in Glory, also called Christ in Majesty, was the first Christian depiction of Jesus, beginning in the late 300’s.
What is the technique used to create the Pantocrator image from Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai Egypt?
As with many of the early icons from Sinai, the Christ Pantocrator was created by using this technique, known as encaustic—a medium using hot wax paint—that would rarely continue to be utilized in the Byzantine world after the iconoclastic controversies of the eighth and ninth centuries.
Is Jesus an icon?
Further, Jesus Christ himself is called the “image of the invisible God” in Colossians 1:15, and is therefore in one sense an icon. As people are also made in God’s images, people are also considered to be living icons, and are therefore “censed” along with painted icons during Orthodox prayer services.
What were Byzantine icons?
Icons, that is images of holy persons, were an important part of the Byzantine Christian Church from the 3rd century CE onwards. Venerated in churches, public places, and private homes, they were often believed to have protective properties.
What is the purpose of an icon?
Most software designers rely on icons as an essential element of design. Used correctly, they convey ideas more quickly than words, and they often take up less space. In addition, they break up the monotony of textual information, including fields that may or may not contain data.
What is the purpose of religious icons?
Icons are considered an essential part of the church and are given special liturgical veneration. They serve as mediums of instruction for the uneducated faithful through the iconostasis, a screen shielding the altar, covered with icons depicting scenes from the New Testament, church feasts, and popular saints.
What was the symbolism of the Pantocrator icon?
The symbolism of Christ Pantocrator (explained below) borrows from Roman imperial imagery to project his sovereign power. Early Christians used cultural symbols to proclaim the sovereign power of the resurrected Christ.
What did Jesus look like as a Pantocrator?
This article explains the history and meaning of Christ Pantocrator. Christ Pantocrator has a standard look. With a stoic, somber face, Jesus looks forward. He has long brown hair and a beard. Jesus holds a book representing the Gospel in his left hand, and the other hand gestures a blessing.
Who is the Pantokrator, The prototype of all icons?
Jesus Christ Pantocrator, The Almighty: the prototype of all icons. Through the Incarnation, Christ himself is made word and image, the word of the ineffable mysteries and the image of the invisible God.
Why is the Pantocrator in the dome of the church?
The use of the multi-colored band that we usually see around the figure of the Pantocrator in the dome of Churches is based on Rev. 4:3 where the iris or rainbow is said to surround the throne of God. Normally the icon of Christ Pantocrator is the most remote of all the conventional poses.