Christ Pantocrator
Today, we’re going back to the sixth century…
This icon, known as “Christ Pantocrator”, is one of the oldest Byzantine art style icons and depictions of Christ known to date. This panel is made of encaustic wax on wood panel and was originally created some time in the sixth century. It is located at Saint Catherine’s Monastery on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, within the Church of Sinai.
Scholars believe that the icon was originally created in Constantinople before being brought to its current location. Sometime during the thirteenth century, the panel was painted over. In 1962, the icon was restored, and the thirteenth century paint was removed to reveal the original image.
The “Christ Pantocrator” is a very specific depiction in Byzantine and Eastern Orthodox religions. This icon depicts Christ giving a blessing with his right hand, while holding the Gospels in his left hand. The Gospels are often represented as a book with a cross on its cover.
There are many variants of this image with each having its own name. Variants include “Christ the Teacher” where Christ is holding an open Bible, and “Christ in Majesty” where Christ’s entire body is depicted. In “Christ Pantocrator,” only the top half of Christ’s body is shown.
Often, Greek letters are flanking Christ’s head; IC on the left and XC on the right. Together, the letters are a Christogram, abbreviating the name of Jesus Christ by representing the first and last letters. IC abbreviates ‘Jesus’ and XC abbreviates ‘Christ’. There are also variants of the Christogram. The ICXC as seen in the “Christ Pantocrator” is the version seen more in Eastern Christianity.
The rich tradition and history of this icon is quite deep and still holds a powerful meaning for Christians today.
“Christ Pantocrator” is located at Saint Catherine’s Monastery, or Santa Katarina, at the foot of Mount Sinai on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt.
For more Byzantine art, please visit the art movements page here.
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