What is the significance of Christ Pantocrator?
May 13, 2020 · This painting is considered one of the oldest Byzantine religious icons and is the earliest known work of the pantocrator style (Lowden, 66). Click to see full answer. Keeping this in view, who created Christ Pantocrator? emperor Justinian I.
Is there a painting of the Pantocrator?
Christ as Pantocrator, meaning “Almighty, All Powerful,” is the Greek word used by Paul to describe the Lord in II Corinthians 6:18 and by John nine times in the Book of Revelation: 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 16:14; 19:6; 19:15 and 21:22. This is …
How was the Christ Pantocrator made?
This painting is considered one of the oldest Byzantine religious icons and is the earliest known work of the pantocrator style (Lowden, 66). The painted panel stands at 84 cm height with a width of 45.5 cm and a depth of 1.2cm (Weitzmann, 13) The painting is believed to have been larger originally, but was cut down on the top and sides at some point, for reasons unknown, to …
What is the oldest known Pantocrator?
In Christian iconography, Christ Pantocrator (Greek: Χριστ?ς Παντοκράτωρ) is a specific depiction of Christ. Pantocrator or Pantokrator, usually translated as "Almighty" or "all-powerful", is derived from one of many names of God in Judaism. Furthermore, who Painted Christ in majesty? Antoine de Lonhy . Also, what is the oldest icon? The oldest surviving icon of Christ Pantocrator, …
How tall is the Christ Pantocrator?
With a height of 84 cm, width of 45.5 cm, and a thickness of 1.2 cm, the icon was originally taller and wider before its top and sides were cut. Otherwise there is only one spot with major damage, a large portion of Christ’s hair on his left side, including his left ear and shoulder. The original encaustic surface has continually been preserved in excellent condition overall. 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. In fact, the monastery at Sinai is the only place in the world where a substantial number of these encaustic icons, particularly those dating from as early as the sixth century, have been preserved. During the Period of Byzantine Iconoclasm, the production of Orthodox icons continued at Sinai, whereas they were being destroyed in Constantinople.
What does the icon of Christ's hand represent?
Many agree that the icon represents the dual nature of Christ, illustrating traits of both man and God, perhaps influenced by the aftermath of the ecumenical councils of the previous century at Ephesus and Chalcedon. Christ’s features on his left side (the viewer's right) are supposed to represent the qualities of his human nature, while his right side (the viewer's left) represents his divinity. His right hand is shown opening outward, signifying his gift of blessing, while the left hand and arm is clutching a thick Gospel book.
What is the oldest Byzantine icon?
The Christ Pantocrator of St. Catherine’s Monastery at Sinai is one of the oldest Byzantine religious icons, dating from the 6th century AD. 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 ...
Where is the Christ Pantocrator mosaic?
Christ Pantocrator mosaic from the dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Christ Pantocrator inside the dome of Church of the Saviour on the Blood (Храм Спаса на Крови), St. Petersburg. Mosaic of Palatine Chapel in Palermo.
What does Pantocrator mean?
Pantocrator or Pantokrator, usually translated as "Almighty" or "all-powerful", is derived from one of many names of God in Judaism . The Pantokrator, largely an Eastern Orthodox or Eastern Catholic theological conception, is less common under that name in Western (Roman) Catholicism and largely unknown to most Protestants.
What is the oldest icon of Christ?
The oldest known icon of Christ Pantocrator, encaustic on panel ( Saint Catherine's Monastery ). The two different facial expressions on either side may emphasize Christ's two natures as fully God and fully human.
What are the two variations of Christ Pantocrator?
There are two variations of Christ Pantocrator that appear in Cappadocian cave churches—“Christ in Glory” and “Diesis.” They are both the same as Christ Pantocrator, but have additional figures at his side.
What does the word "pantocrator" mean?
The Meaning—Almighty Ruler. The word Pantocrator means “Almighty,” or “All-powerful.”. In the Greek version of the Old Testament (LXX), pantocrator is the translation of “Lord of Hosts” and “God Almighty.”. In the book of Revelation, pantocrator appears nine times as a title that emphasizes God’s sovereignty and power.
What is the most important Christian icon?
Updated: Oct 5, 2019. The most important Christian icon is Christ Pantocrator . This image portrays Jesus as the world’s sovereign ruler. Christ Pantocrator was one of the oldest images of Jesus and appears in the most prominent positions in cave churches. This article explains the history and meaning of Christ Pantocrator.
Why did Basil of Caesarea create the order of worship?
So Basil of Caesarea created an order of worship (liturgy) to structure prayer times in the Church. In the Orthodox liturgy is designed to lead people before God's throne so they can worship with the angels. The painting program and architecture of Byzantine churches visually repeat the liturgy program. The result is that worshipers, both orally and visually, enter into before God' presence in worship.
What is Jesus' hair?
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. A cruciform halo surrounds Jesus’ head, and the letters “IC XC” are written above the halo. The scene includes only the upper half of Jesus’ body.
When did Christians begin to depict Jesus?
Christians began to visually depict Jesus in the late 300’s, once there was no longer a threat of persecution. These early images present Jesus as a stoic figure sitting on a throne with a scroll. In the 600’s, Christ Pantocrator emerged as a simplification of that early image.
What is the meaning of Jesus' right hand?
In Christ Pantocrator, Jesus' oratorical hand gesture declares he has something important to say. In Byzantine art and theology, this gesture also indicates a blessing. Christ Pantocrator pronounces a divine blessing of mercy. Orthodox priests’ use the same gesture to bless during the liturgy. And most interesting is the exact shape of Jesus’ figures. They bend and twist to form the letters “IC XC.” This is an abbreviation of Jesus’ name, made from first and last letters of the Greek IHCOYC (Jesus) XPICTOC (Christ).
Where is the Christ Pantocrator?
Christ Pantocrator in the Monreale Cathedral (Duomo) The Cathedral in Monreale, built c. 1170-1189. Christ Pantocrator: The cathedral in Monreale, Palermo, is regarded as the most beautiful of the Norman churches in Sicily. The mosaics were made with 2200 kg of pure gold, experts have estimated.
What is the Palatine Chapel?
Cappella Palatina (The Palatine Chapel) The Palatine Chapel is the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Kingdom of Sicily situated on the second floor at the center of the Norman Palace in Palermo. The chapel is a great symbol of multi-cultural cooperation.
When was the Cefalù Cathedral built?
Construction began in 1131, the apse mosaics begun in 1145. After 1172 the church suffered a period of decline; the façade was completed in 1240. The Cathedral was consecrated in 1267 by Rodolphe de Chevriêres, Bishop of Albano. Visitors contemplating in front of Pantocrator in the Cefalù cathedral.
Overview
Background
For a time the icon was thought to have been dated from the thirteenth century, since it had been almost completely painted over at that time, but it was concluded in 1962 that it is in fact from the mid-sixth century, although the exact date of production is still unknown. When Saint Catherine's Monastery was founded by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, late in his reign, between 548 and 565, it enjoyed imperial patronage and donations from Justinian and his court, with the Christ Pa…
Interpretation and meaning
Many agree that the icon represents the dual nature of Christ, illustrating traits of both man and God, perhaps influenced by the aftermath of the ecumenical councils of the previous century at Ephesus and Chalcedon. Christ's features on his left side (the viewer's right) are supposed to represent the qualities of his human nature, while his right side (the viewer's left) represents his divinity. Hi…
Description and production
With a height of 84 cm, width of 45.5 cm, and a thickness of 1.2 cm, the icon was originally taller and wider before its top and sides were cut. Otherwise there is only one spot with major damage, a large portion of Christ's hair on his left side, including his left ear and shoulder. The original encausticsurface has continually been preserved in excellent condition overall. As with many of the early icons from Sinai, the Christ Pantocrator was created by using this technique, known as …
Survival from Byzantine Iconoclasm and aftermath
The Muslim Arabs quickly took control of the entire Fertile Crescent south of the Turkish mountains, including Egypt and Sinai, cutting the monastery's ties with Constantinople in the year 640. Therefore, by the time the era of iconoclasm had been initiated by Emperor Leo III in 726, the Monastery of Saint Catherine had already been protected under Muslim rulefor nearly a century and was able to survive the destruction of iconoclasm. Furthermore, the location of the monaste…
Notes
1. ^ John Galey, George Forsyth, and Kurt Weitzmann, Sinai and the Monastery of St. Catherine (Givatayim, Israel: Massada, 1980), 99.
2. ^ Galey, Forsyth, Weitzmann, Sinai, 92.
3. ^ Kurt Weitzmann, The Monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai, the Icons (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1976), 13.
Bibliography
• Chatzidakis, Manolis and Walters, Gerry. “An Encaustic Icon of Christ at Sinai.” The Art Bulletin 49, No. 3 (1967): 197–208.
• Cormack, Robin. Oxford History of Art: Byzantine Art. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.
• Galey, John, Forsyth, George, and Weitzmann, Kurt. Sinai and the Monastery of St. Catherine, Doubleday, New York, 1980, ISBN 0385171102
Further reading
• Coleman, Simon and Elsner, John. “The Pilgrim’s Progress: Art, Architecture and Ritual Movement at Sinai.” World Archaeology 26, No. 1 (1994): 73–89.
• Nelson, Robert S., Collins, Kristen M., and J. Paul Getty Museum. Holy Image, Hallowed Ground: Icons from Sinai. Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum, 2006.
Overview
In Christian iconography, Christ Pantocrator (Greek: Χριστὸς Παντοκράτωρ) is a specific depiction of Christ. Pantocrator or Pantokrator, usually translated as "Almighty" or "all-powerful", is derived from one of many names of God in Judaism.
The Pantokrator, largely an Eastern Orthodox or Eastern Catholic theological c…
Iconography
The icon of Christ Pantokrator is one of the most common religious images of Orthodox Christianity. Generally speaking, in Medieval eastern roman church art and architecture, an iconic mosaic or fresco of Christ Pantokrator occupies the space in the central dome of the church, in the half-dome of the apse, or on the navevault. Some scholars (Latourette 1975: 572) consider the Pantocrator a C…
Meaning
The most common translation of Pantocrator is "Almighty" or "All-powerful". In this understanding, Pantokrator is a compound word formed from the Greek words πᾶς, pas (GEN παντός pantos), i.e. "all" and κράτος, kratos, i.e. "strength", "might", "power". This is often understood in terms of potential power; i.e., ability to do anything, omnipotence.
See also
• Christ in Majesty
• Christ the Redeemer
• Depiction of Jesus
• Monumento al Divino Salvador del Mundo
Further reading
• Chatzidakis, Manolis (September 1967). "An Encaustic Icon of Christ at Sinai". Gerry Walters, tr. The Art Bulletin 49.3, pp. 197–208.
• Galavaris, George (Jan 1, 1981). The Icon in the Life of the Church, 11. Brill Academic Publishers. ISBN 90-04-06402-8
External links
• The Christ Pantocrator Icon at St. Catherine's Monastery in the Sinai
• The icon Christ Pantocrator at Chilandar Monastery on Holy Mount Athos
• The Deesis Pantocrator in Hagia Sophia