Christ holds the bible in his hand to represent the law and justice of god while his eye looks on hard at the world. 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. Orthodox icon of jesus christ pantocrator 23, copy of the encaustic icon of sinai, christ pantocrator. The bestknown feature of the church of christ pantocrator is the rich and colourful decoration of its exterior walls. Christ, used by christians as both a name and a title, is synonymous with jesus. The arrangement was dictated by functional aims, as we have noted earlier. The icon of christ pantocrator, from the sacred monastery of the. Christ has now become a name, one part of the name jesus christ, but originally it was a title the messiah and not a name. I think the usage and existence of the word allpowerful wis 7. As christ was anointed priest, prophet, and king, so may you live always as a member of. Christ pantocrator is an icon of christ represented full or halflength and fullfaced.
Words out of the mouth of christ himself refuting israel only full preterism and all things fulfilled in 70 ad nov 2019 nov 2019 the invitation to the wedding feast of the lamb a parable from matthew 22 the following parable is an excellent prooftext against full preterism, and the israelonly movement, who. The gospel book in the icon is closed, but jesus knows what is inside. This icon depicts jesus christ holding the open scriptures and making the sign of the cross. It is the image of the glorified christ reigning on his heavenly throne. En ingles va con mayuscula pantocrator pero en espanol no pantocrator. Pantocrator or pantokrator, is, used in this context, a translation of one of many names of god in judaism. The jesus question started out as a project for a social media class in february 2011. The hagia sophia church was constructed in constantinople which is now istanbul, turkey and is believed to have been founded by constantine the great. Origin from latin pantocrator, from hellenistic greek pantokrator. Icons in the church resurrection greek orthodox church.
He holds the book of the gospels in his left hand and blesses with his right hand. Holiday celebrating the birth of jesus on december 25. Nov 22, 2017 the right side is supposed to represent the divinity of christ. A rich and beautiful 6 th century icon christ pantocrator, this beautiful picture of our lord is wonderfully complemented by an antique dark ornate frame under premium clear glass. John the evangelist and theologian was exiled and subsequently wrote the last book of the new testament, revelation, in about the year a. Art, theology, and prophecy jesus christ is the image of the invisible god, the firstborn of every creature. The term pantocrator is usually applied to depictions of christ within the central cupola or concha of a church. Probably created in 1261, the mosaic represents christ by a halo surrounding his head, his right hand lifted and his left hand holding a book. To my knowledge, palmers is the first english translation of the sutras. Theophany bakers evangelical dictionary of biblical. One of the more common translations if is almighty or all powerful this detail of a 6th century icon is the oldest known rendition of christ pantokrator. Pantokrator meaning in bible new testament greek lexicon. Surrounded by angels on the drum or in the apse, he is bestowing a blessing with his right hand and holding the new testament in his left hand. Pantocrator or pantokrator, usually translated as almighty or allpowerful, is derived from one of many names of god in judaism.
Pantocrator or pantokrator is a greek word referring to one of the names of jesus christ. The pantocrator illustrating the hypostatic union of jesus christ. Ad 30 33, also referred to as jesus of nazareth or jesus christ, was a firstcentury jewish preacher and religious leader. Christ is bearded, his brown hair centrally parted, and his head is surrounded by a halo.
Christ is distant from us and sometimes his face is stern. Download stock art image jesus christ pantocrator icon. The jesus sutras, written by martin palmer, is published by wellspringballantine. Preparing the way for christ pantocrator rosamond press. The mosaic icon of christ pantocrator is part of a larger mosaic of the deesis in the hagia sophias south gallery. You will also find icons depicting the nativity of christ and resurrection of christ. This image is in the upper gallery at saint sophia.
The image develops from early christian art, as a depiction of the heavenly throne as. Pantocrator one of the most typical and most meaningful symbols of our church is the icon of christ pantocrator, the lord omnipotent, that appears in the dome of most orthodox churches. Another image similar to christ in majesty is christ pantocrator. The context of byzantine art has to be thought as a lifechanging event. The jesus question tracing the identity of jesus through. It was commissioned to mark the end of 57 years of roman catholic use and the return to the orthodox faith. Christology area of theology dealing with the person of christ. Manifestation of god that is tangible to the human senses. Jesus, also called jesus christ, jesus of galilee, or jesus of nazareth, born c. Christ pantocrator has come to suggest christ as a mild but stern, allpowerful judge of humanity. The pauline epistles, the earliest texts of the new testament, often refer to jesus as christ jesus or christ. Pantocrator is defined by the lexicographers at oxford dictionaries as a title of christ represented as the ruler of the universe, especially in byzantine church decoration. Located in the central dome of the church, this christ pantocrator looms large over worshipers. The mosaic of christ pantocrator in the hagia sophia in instanbul, modernday turkey, is widely considered as one of the most splendid examples of byzantine representation of christ allpowerful.
This painting is considered one of the oldest byzantine religious icons and is the earliest known work of the pantocrator style lowden, 66. The eastern orthodox church teaches that it is the church started by jesus christ in his instructions to the apostles. Aside from that one occurrence, the author of the book of revelation is the only new testament. His right hand is shown opening outward, signifying his gift of blessing, while the left hand and arm is clutching a thick gospel book. Icons of sinai jesus christ pantokrator, the halo from icons and their. Pantocrator or pantokrator from the greek is one of many names applied to god. Byzantine art and architecture art history teaching resources. A truly artistic and religious addition to any home.
The belief in, participation in, or sanction of destroying religious icons and other symbols or monuments, usually with religious or political motives. It is only fitting that the first icon explored here is of jesus christ who is himself the image of the invisible god. In its most restrictive sense, it is a visible appearance of god in the old testament period often, but not always, in human form. This is the oldest known example of the christ pantocrator iconographic type. Christ is bearded, his brown hair centrally parted. Catherines christ pantocrator, the oldest remaining icon in the church. Pantocrator from the greek pantokrator, almighty ruler. 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. Christology eastern orthodox christology britannica. Pantocrator a tittle of christ represented as the ruler of the universe, specially in byzantine church decoration. Learn about pantokrator original meaning in the bible using the new testament greek lexicon new american standard. Holding the new testament in his left arm and assuming a gesture of blessing with his right, christ here assumes the traditional posture as pantocrator, or ruler of all, a conventional representation of christ that became popular during this era. Pantocrator dictionary definition pantocrator defined.
This is a view of jesus from the waist up, making a gesture of blessing and holding a gospel book. Christ pantocrator in christian iconography, christ pantocrator greek, ancient to 1453. Jun 22, 2018 the pantokrator image where christ is in the classic full frontal pose and is holding a gospel book in his left hand and performing a blessing with his right was probably donated by justinian i r. The icon is usually shown against a gold background comparable to the gilded. Christ pantocrator christ as ruler of the universe, a common image in orthodox iconography. Greek orthodox icon of jesus christ pantocrator 23 of. In christian iconography, christ pantocrator greek. The image of christ pantocrator, the all powerful, in the semidome of monreales apse is not terrifying, unlike its pictures in the art books. Icon is a copy of a mosaic icon of jesus christ from saint sophias church hagia sophia, constantinople century.
In both icons jesus is holding a book, sometimes open. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The image expresses the central reality of the christian faith. Christ pantocrator christ, ruler of all derek vreeland. The icon is not just a nice sacred image that adorns churches and homes.
A christogram latin monogramma christi is a monogram or combination of letters that forms an abbreviation for the name of jesus christ, traditionally used as a religious symbol within the christian church one of the oldest christograms is the chirho. Most christians believe he is the incarnation of god the son and the awaited messiah the christ prophesied in the old testament. Sometimes this is a gesture of blessing and in others it is an oratorical motion. Because god took on human flesh and became visible, we can depict him. Catherines monastery at sinai is one of the oldest eastern roman. It practises what it understands to be the original christian faith and maintains the sacred tradition passed down from the apostles. Christ in majesty, or christ in glory, in latin majestas domini, is the western christian image of christ seated on a throne as ruler of the world, always seen frontally in the centre of the composition, and often flanked by other sacred figures, whose membership changes over time and according to the context. Mosaic of christ pantocrator in the palatine chapel in palermo. The christ pantokrator icons are also called christ the teacher. Rather, it speaks a theological truth about our lord jesus christ.
Unable to visit in person, christ pressed his face against a cloth, which left an impression, and then sent the cloth to abgar. An icon where christ has an open book is called christ the teacher, a variant of the pantocrator. Icon of christ pantocrator from the monastery of st. Painted orthodox icon of jesus christ pantocrator from. List of 10 finest surviving examples of byzantine art. After all, christ was not afraid of reminding people to repent from their sin. Orthodox icon of jesus christ pantocrator, encaustic icon of sinai christ pantocrator, encaustic on wood, st. Christ pantocrator article about christ pantocrator by the. Byzantine orthodox icons of christ depict him in various forms for example, as christ the pantocrator, christ the savior or christ on the cross. Definition of christ pantocrator in the dictionary. Christ pantocrator from church of the dormition, daphne. This states that the humanity and divinity of christ are made one and exist as one in the logos, the word made flesh. The bible wheel is a circular presentation of the bible that i discovered by rolling up the traditional list of the sixtysix books like a scroll on a spindle wheel of twentytwo spokes, corresponding to the twentytwo letters of the hebrew alphabet.
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. Upon witnessing the baptism of my first grandchild, i once again heard the threefold description in our call to holiness. One of the most important icons in the monasterys collection and represents the two faces of christ. Maiestas domini is the western christian image of christ seated on a throne as ruler of the world, always seen frontally in the centre of the composition, and often flanked by other sacred figures, whose membership changes over time and according to the context. These books contained the books of psalms and were often richly decorated, or illuminated, with scenes and miniatures. Information and translations of christ pantocrator in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. In the catacombs, the underground tombs where the early christians worshipped, christ was depicted as the good. Catherines monastery at sinai is one of the oldest eastern roman religious icons, dating from the 6th century ad. The assignment was to develop a blog in which we were to explore a welldefined subject of interest, the purpose being to enhance our online presence, connect with others of like interests, experiment with web building and marketing, and establish ourselves. He is regarded by most christians as the incarnation of god. According to the legend which is first recorded in the 6th century ce, abgar v, the 1stcentury ce king of edessa in syria became seriously ill and he called on jesus christ to cure him. In the left hand he holds the gospel, which will be opened at the last judgement. Byzantine orthodox icons of christ istok church supplies.
The icon portrays christ as the righteous judge and the lover of mankind, both at the same time. Normally the icon of christ pantocrator is the most remote of all the conventional poses. Christ pantocrator iconography of christ medieval art projects. The icon of christ pantokrator is one of the most ancient of icons and one of the most widely used today. A royalty free image depicting jesus christ as pantocrator. Christ pantocrator article about christ pantocrator by. Some would also include in this term christophanies preincarnate appearances of christ and angelophanies appearances of angels. Technically, if the book is closed it is a christ pantokrator icon. The worship service is known as the divine liturgy. Byzantine art traditions are centuries old and are characterized by particular conventions such as naturalism, divinity and a narrative approach. The lord is pantocrator from the greek for ruler of all in this beautiful contemporary icon from a convent on the isle of patmos, the island where st. Mosaic of christ pantocrator, from art in the christian tradition, a. The ruler of everything, especially as an epithet for jesus christ. Byzantine art and the pantocrator francisco guerrero.
After the baptism comes the anointing with sacred chrism oil, wherein the priest or deacon prays these words. Christology christology eastern orthodox christology. The jesus sutras are held today in private collections in france and japan, largely inaccessible to the public. Christ pantocrator of mount sinai orthodox icon legacy. Oct 26, 2016 we also know the son of god has come and has given us discernment to know the one who is true. The word pantocrator is greek, meaning ruler of all. Taken together, the components of pantocrator allude to all of creation and to time present, time past and time yet to be. It is also used as a title, in the reciprocal use christ jesus, meaning the messiah jesus, and independently as the christ.
Christ pantocrator is a painted wood panel dating back to the 6th century from st. Mainly from the following century, a definite order for the arrangement of icons in the church became established in the christian east, and has continued, with certain variations from period to period, down to the present. Iconoclastic controversies ancient and byzantine mosaic materials constantinople and the east browse this content woman with scroll byzantine mosaic of a personification, ktisis hagia sophia, istanbul theotokos mosaic, hagia sophia, istanbul deesis christ with the virgin mary and john the baptist, hagia sophia, istanbul hagia sophia as a mosque. Pantocrator comes from two greek words, panto meaning all and kratos meaning strength or power. And we are in the one who is true, in his son jesus christ. Surrounded by angels on the drum or in the apse, he is bestowing a blessing with his right hand and. Christ pantocrator illumina domine blog devotion to the. Christ pantocrator of mount sinai orthodox icon legacy icons. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Christological discourse within orthodox, or eastern, theology i. Eastern theology interpreted the union of the divine and the human in jesus as glorifying humanity and as preparing. Of all the book inscriptions on the icons they could usually be chosen freely. As in subsequent examples, christ holds a book in his left hand and blesses the. Christ pantocrator the almighty is portrayed in a mosaic medallion with 9 variegated circles diameter of the medallion 4,04,1 m.
After it was cleaned of its top coat, they discovered that the icon is as old as the 6th century. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. The adjective, from the greek pantokrator, means all. According to canon, christ blesses people with his right hand.
Neohistoricism end times eschatology from a new eastern. The main scene depicts the figures of christ pantocrator flanked by john the baptist and the virgin mary, in a supplication scene known as a deesis. The most lavishly decorated part of the church is the east side with the apse, and as a whole all sides of the church exhibit different ornamentation. The iconography of christ pantokrator experimental theology.