Icon of christ pantokrator ancient history encyclopedia. He holds the book of the gospels in his left hand and blesses with his right hand. Christ pantocrator of mount sinai orthodox icon legacy icons. Christ pantocrator handpainted greek orthodox icon hand. Like all other art, the art of the orthodox church including icons developed within a particular culture and consequently may only be understood in the context of its own history. Christ as pantocrator, meaning almighty, all powerful, is the greek word used by paul to describe the lord in ii corinthians 6.
Ive selected a representation of christ as a pantocrator, located in the church of the dormition, in daphni, greece. Christ pantocrator, byzantine icons, byzantine art, christian paintings. He is not pictured with a crown or scepter as other kings because his power is not of this world. Catherines christ pantocrator, the oldest remaining icon in the church. Christ pantokrator is one of the most common images in orthodox iconography. Christ pantokrator is now providence, divine action and the. An icon where christ has an open book is called christ the teacher, a variant of the pantocrator. Wide range of religious icons from st josephs catholic giftshop on amazon.
The icon portrays christ as the righteous judge and the lover of mankind, both at the same time. See more ideas about st anne, orthodox icons and religious art. Pantocrator comes from two greek words, panto meaning all and kratos meaning strength or power. The christ pantokrator icons were symbols of the nicene verdict that christ was coequal and coeternal with god. His right hand is extended in blessing, while the left is supporting the bible. This choice of color for his robe is symbolic of his status and importance. In the catacombs, the underground tombs where the early christians worshipped, christ was depicted as the good shepherd who protected his flock. In pantocrator style icons, christ holds the book of the gospel in his left hand and blesses with. The christ pantocrator icon was originally produced by mount tabor studios, a team of iconographers headed by fr. In christian iconography, christ pantocrator greek.
It is the image of the glorified christ reigning on his heavenly throne. The word pantocrator is of greek origin meaning ruler of all. The book christ is holding in his hand has the inscription. Christ pantocrator the almighty is portrayed in a mosaic medallion with 9 variegated circles diameter of the medallion 4,04,1 m. See more ideas about christ pantocrator, christ and orthodox icons. Legacy icons christ pantocrator sinai icon mounted on wood 6x12.
Christ pantocrator, large icon mackean ancient faith store. The image of christ pantocrator, the all powerful, in the semidome of monreales apse is not terrifying, unlike its pictures in the art books. Christ is bearded, his brown hair centrally parted, and his head is surrounded by a halo. Byzantine art and the pantocrator francisco guerrero. Surrounded by angels on the drum or in the apse, he is bestowing a blessing with his right hand and. Christ pantocrator iconography of christ medieval art projects. He holds the book of the gospels in his left hand and blesses with his right hand the icon portrays christ as the righteous judge and the lover of mankind, both at the same time. Pantocrator, images of christ, christian artwork, byzantine icons, historical art, orthodox icons. The hagia sophia church was constructed in constantinople which is now istanbul, turkey and is believed to have been founded by constantine the great. Sinai and is the oldest surviving pantocrator icon in existence. The color red, like gold, represents holiness and divinity. The hagia sophia church was constructed in constantinople which is now istanbul, turkey and is believed. The icon, history, symbolism and meaning orthodox christianity. Peter and paul orthodox church, hong kong including christ pantocrator icon and the albazinks icon of the theotokos the word made flesh.
Icons of jesus christ, our god and savior, from legacy icons. The mosaic icon of christ pantocrator is part of a larger mosaic of the deesis in the hagia sophias south gallery. There is another famous mosaic of the pantocrator in the hagia sophia, once a church, then a mosque and now a museum, in istanbul, turkey. Icon is a copy of a mosaic icon of jesus christ from saint sophias church hagia sophia, constantinople century. It was once dated to the 1200s, but after it was cleaned in. It also contains the wax seal of authenticity from the greek government on the back. Rather, it speaks a theological truth about our lord jesus christ. Christ pantocrator is an icon of christ represented full or halflength and fullfaced. Abbot damian higgins, who have collectively produced over 1,000 icons in the past 20 years. The icon is usually shown against a gold background comparable to the gilded grounds of mosaic depictions of the christian emperors. It is roughly translated all powerful, all mighty, or ruler of all. The first icon shown here is the earliest known christ pantokrator icon dated around the 6th or 7th century. The word pantocrator is of greek origin and means ruler of all.
Christ pantocrator, is often just a savior or christ is the central image in the iconography of christ, representing him as the king of heaven. This is the oldest known icon of christ pantocrator, written in the sixth century and preserved in the remote monastery of st. A rich and beautiful 6th century icon christ pantocrator, this beautiful picture of our lord is wonderfully complemented by an antique dark. The word icon derives from the greek eikon which is variously translated as image, likeness or representation. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Christ the pantocrator sinai polished gold painted icons an icon of christ pantocrator. Legacy icons christ pantocrator sinai icon mounted. Icon of christ pantocrator from the monastery of st. Christ pantocrator of mount sinai orthodox icon legacy. Oct 31, 20 still, the formal breakdown lets us list the image attributes into a clear and understandable way.
Churches were simple on outside, but elaborate on inside. The use of the multicolored band that we usually see around the figure of the pantocrator in the dome of churches is based on rev. Christ pantocrator christ, ruler of all derek vreeland. Christ pantocrator wooden icon with candlestick, russia. Christ the pantocrator sinai polished gold painted icons. This icon includes a certificate of authenticity, a story or explanation of the subject and of how icons are painted, and a hand painted label. Its been one of my favorite icons of christ since i began really trying to learn more about the orthodox church, fourteen years ago.
Our plaques are made with a nonglare satin lamination featuring a durable, washable surface and uv protective coating. This is the oldest known painting of jesus of nazareth. The video describes aspects of the icon including the dual nature of the. A history of christianity, volume 1, beginnings to 1500. Pantocrator from the greek pantokrator, almighty ruler. Catherine of sinai, greek orthodox handmade icon on wood. Catherines monastery at sinai is one of the oldest eastern roman religious icons, dating from the 6th century ad. Christ pantocrator iconography of christ medieval art. The location enabled the image to survive the destruction of most icons during the iconoclastic era in byzantine history, 726 to 815 ad. In the years following the fall of constantinople to the turks in a. The famous iconographer michael damaskinos, who was a native of crete, painted this icon in the late 16th century and in the postbyzantine cretan style. A rich and beautiful 6th century icon christ pantocrator, this beautiful picture of our lord is wonderfully complemented by an antique dark ornate frame under premium clear glass.
The word pantocrator and the idea behind it appear in the book of revelation. This icon set includes icons of christ and the theotokos that were painted in bulgaria in the 21st century. Christ pantocrator the ruler of the universe, catacombs of commodilla, 4th century some historians believe that by prohibiting icons, the emperor sought to integrate muslim and jewish populations. Here christ is shown dressed in a purple robe a color commonly chosen to represent those of imperial status and royalty. Sort by featured items newest items bestselling alphabetical. Christ pantocrator article about christ pantocrator by the. Sep 23, 2015 christ pantocrator is a depiction of jesus christ as ruler of the universe, a common image in orthodox iconography. The painted decoration and the representation of christ pantocrator are the work of anatole dauvergne in 1859. According to canon, christ blesses people with his right hand. The term pantocrator is usually applied to depictions of christ within the central cupola or concha of a church. The oldest known icon of christ pantocrator was written in the sixth century and preserved in the remote monastery of st.
This icon is 9 12 wide by 12 12 tall on 1 thick wood. The bold red background of these icons is stunning and must be seen in person. Palermo is like nowhere else, next to africa but in europe, combining traces of great historic riches with extraordinary squalor only gradually being alleviated. Icon of christ pantokrator illustration ancient history.
It was commissioned to mark the end of 57 years of roman catholic use and the return to the orthodox faith. In the left hand he holds the gospel, which will be opened at the last judgement. Jesus christ was originally depicted without a beard. Fully retractable and stored in an aluminum case, it takes less than a minute to extend the telescopic pole and unroll the christ pantocrator icon banner.
In both icons jesus is holding a book, sometimes open. This image is in the upper gallery at saint sophia. Christ blesses us with his right hand as pantocrator the greek word for ruler of all, his fingers formed into the shape of the greek letters ic xc, the abbreviation in greek for jesus christ, and he holds in his left arm a jewelstudded book of the gospels. Pantocrator means the almighty, or powerful, referring to the omnipotence of jesus christ as the son of god. Christ pantocrator, large icon ancient faith store. He came to be with us and to show us his loving kindness. Jan 20, 2015 the icon of christ pantocrator, from the sacred monastery of the godtrodden mount sinai, is one of the most profound theological images of our lord jesus christ.
Normally the icon of christ pantocrator is the most remote of all the conventional poses. The christ pantokrator icons are also called christ the teacher. This banner stand is 78 tall by 33 wide and features the icon of christ pantocrator. In our church supplies, you will find books, icons, crosses, christian incense, church supplies, various linens and priests vestments. It was likely made at one of the imperial workshops, and it depicts jesus christ as the pantokrator. Christ pantocrator icon banner stand catholic to the max.
Christ is distant from us and sometimes his face is stern. I wanted to introduce the icon i chose for the bookmark i recently had designed for the orthodox book club. Christ is depicted raising his left hand to make the sign of a blessing and with his right he holds onto a book. Christ pantocrator article about christ pantocrator by. A truly artistic and religious addition to any home. I love the history, too, behind this particular icon. The icon of christ pantokrator is one of the most common religious images of orthodox. Church is the icon of christ pantocrator, the lord omnipotent, that appears in the dome of most orthodox churches. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have. Pantocrator, a description of the sinai christ icon youtube. Greek orthodox icon of jesus christ pantocrator 23 of. This wooden religious icon is the copy of icon christ pantocrator xiii th.
Sinai 11s01 rating required select rating 1 star worst 2 stars 3 stars average 4 stars 5 stars best name. This icon was painted on wood in constantinople in the second quarter of the 15th century ce during the waning days of the byzantine empire. Sep 30, 2015 this is one of the earliest christian icons, known as a pantocrator, discovered in the monastry of saint katerina in sinai. The icon is not just a nice sacred image that adorns churches and homes. It is the earliest known version of the pantocrator style that still survives today, and is regarded by historians and scholars to be one of the most important and recognizable works in the study of byzantine art as well as eastern orthodox christianity. Both muslims and jews perceived christian images that existed from the earliest times of christianity as idols and in direct opposition to the.
Saint luke productions po box 886 battle ground, wa 98604. The christ pantocrator round wall plaque is a traditional religious icon that beautifully depicts christ as ruler of all. Formed book club books videos kids audio art occasions. Christ has an open book is called christ the teacher, a variant of the pantocrator. The mosaic was done in the 1260s and the resemblance to the 500s pantocrator is uncanny, leading some to believe that the artist had seen or had access to the st. Although the term may apply to any representation of a holy figure jesus christ, the virgin mary, apostle, saint or archangel in a mosaic, wall painting, or as small artworks made from wood, metal, gemstones, enamel, or ivory, it is most often used.
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