Icon of Jesus on the throne meaning. Orthodox icon - Orthodox mysticism
In every country in the world there is at least a small group of people - believing Orthodox Christians. That is why the image of Christ is forever imprinted in world icon painting.
A clear expression of His veneration is the icon of the Savior Almighty. It is difficult to imagine the home of a Christian family without this image. The celebration of this icon takes place annually on September 8th.
History of the image
History has not preserved the exact date when the icon of Jesus Christ the Pantocrator was painted.
All that remains is evidence of its external appearance, the prototype of which was the Image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, glorified in the 4th century. It was during this period that several icons of the Lord were discovered in the catacomb churches. On them He was depicted as the Good Shepherd, the youth Emmanuel and even Orpheus. From the 4th century, icon painters began to paint Christ in the image of a radiant youth in white robes, surrounded by a host of apostles.
More about the icons of the Lord:
And a little later, the Almighty is conveyed to us as an adult man with a long beard, holding a book in one hand, while the other is extended to the people in the gesture of an orator or preacher. Since the 5th century, Jesus has been depicted as a king.
The icon of the Almighty greatly outraged the heretics who did not recognize the divine essence of Christ. They considered Him an ordinary person upon whom the Holy Spirit descended.
But the Ecumenical Councils, which affirmed the Orthodox doctrine, testified that Jesus Christ is the God-man of divine and human nature at the same time. He appeared into the world in the form of a man in order to, through His Life, heal humanity from sin and open the door to the Kingdom of Heaven.
In the 8th century, under the reign of Leo III the Isaurian, an iconoclast and heretic, Orthodox icons were actively destroyed, and Christians were imprisoned and subjected to terrible torture and execution. Soon, with God's help, the heretics were defeated and condemned at the VII Ecumenical Council. Since then, the icon of the Savior Almighty has become a symbol of the truth of the Orthodox faith.
In modern churches, the Image of Pantocrator is traditionally placed above the central dome of the temple and in the center of the iconostasis.
Lord Almighty. St. Vladimir's Cathedral in Kyiv
Description of the image
“Lord Pantocrator” is not an icon as such, but an iconographic type of depiction of Christ.
He is shown in the image of a royal person, standing or sitting on a throne. In His left hand He holds a book (scroll or Gospel), symbolizing preaching, and His right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing. There are also shoulder and waist versions of His image.
Important! The Almighty is often called in Greek "Pantocrator", which translated means "All-Powerful and Almighty, Ruler of the World, Ruler of everything."
Ancient icon
The very first image is considered to be an icon from the Sinai Monastery. Christ is depicted in traditional vestments, seated on a throne with a pillow and stool at his feet.
The throne is an attribute of royal dignity. This is exactly how we will see the Savior on the Day of the Last Judgment, when He appears on the sinful earth in order to carry out the Judgment of God on the living and the dead.
In icon painting, there are several interpretations of the Almighty: Manuel the Savior, the Savior in Power, the Soul Savior, the Merciful.
Image of Jesus Christ Lord Almighty. Temple icon
Meaning and help
Jesus Christ is the main healer of human souls and bodies, who knows everything, and our prayer should be directed to Him first and foremost.
Before the image of the Almighty, grateful Christians offer thanks to the Lord for His merciful help and support. Others pray for blessings and help:
- in the healing of spiritual and physical ailments;
- about giving consolation in sorrows and imparting spiritual benefits;
- about getting rid of sinful thoughts and mental traumas;
- about guidance on the true path;
- about protection from evil people and deception on their part;
- about protection from cruelty and meanness;
- about preserving the marriage union and achieving harmony in it.
Church history counts many miracles and healings that happened after praying before the Face of the Almighty.
Lord Pantocrator, Sucevita Monastery in Romania
Rules of prayer
You can make a prayer to Christ on any day, at any time of the day, precisely when you need to say a prayer of gratitude or petition.
After all, the Almighty is Truth, Holiday, Love, Grace, Joy.
Attention! Any icon is not a picture with an interesting plot. The icon is severity and tenderness at the same time, which brings us closer to God, calls on believers to think about the values of life and state of mind.
And during prayer, each of us is filled with God’s grace, which prompts the conscience and opens prayer. And with constant thanksgiving to the Almighty, prayer and living according to church canons, the life of every Christian will certainly change for the better.
Watch a video about icons of Jesus Christ
Wooden board 25x20 cm, gesso, tempera, gilding of the halo.
Savior Almighty
Savior Almighty, or Pantocrator (from the Greek omnipotent, omnipotent) is one of the main types of image of the Savior. He is presented as the King of Heaven and the future Judge of the world. Through the consubstantiality of the first and second hypostases of the Holy Trinity, the definition of “Pantocrator” also correlates with the image of God the Father. Calling Jesus “Almighty” indicates, on the one hand, His Divine nature: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, says the Lord, who is and who was and is to come, the Almighty” (Rev. 1: 8). On the other hand, such a naming is also connected with the human nature of Christ, who atoned for human sins with the sacrifice of the cross and thereby created human nature. The halo of the cross enhances the sacrificial symbolism of the image. According to centuries-old tradition, the image of the Savior Pantocrator was placed in the dome of the church. Later, the image of the Savior Almighty began to be painted on icons.
The origin and meaning of the name of the image “Savior Almighty”.
The term appeared at the dawn of Christianity; the early Christian tradition used this term to describe Jesus Christ. Images of the Savior on the throne are found in the Roman catacombs. In Byzantium, the name Savior Pantocrator has been mentioned since approximately the 4th-6th centuries. but the iconography finally took shape in the post-iconoclast period (by the 10th century). The Lord is called Almighty many times in the Old and New Testaments. The word “Almighty,” written next to the name of Jesus Christ, also expresses the dogma of the Incarnation: the title of Almighty refers fully to both the Divine and human nature of the Savior. The word Almighty most often has the meaning of omnipotence, that is, the ability to create everything that is the prerogative of God. The meaning of the word Pantocrator can also be understood as “Lord of everything”, “Ruler of the world”.
Iconography of the Savior Pantocrator
The Icon of the Savior Almighty is a half-length image of the Lord Jesus Christ. Right hand He blesses, and with his left hand he holds a scroll or an open Gospel with text, as a rule. It symbolizes the giving of saving teaching to the world. Traditionally, the pages of the opened Gospel display various sayings of the Savior. But most often these are the following words: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” or “I am the light of the world; “If you walk on Me, you will not have to walk in darkness, but you will have the light of life.”
The Son of God is depicted at the age of his preaching. The canon enshrines the image of Christ in the clothes that He wore in his earthly life - the tunic and himation. Typically, Christ’s outer clothing is depicted in blue, and the shirt, that is, the tunic, is red, sometimes purple, which symbolizes the human incarnation and divine essence of Christ, respectively. In addition, the red color of the chiton means blood and martyrdom, but at the same time it is also the royal color (purple). The blue color of the cloak is associated with the heavenly principle. The composition of the icon is distinguished by its strict frontality and staticity, which gives the appearance of Christ the solemnity and royalty of the Ruler of the Universe.
The Savior can be depicted full-length, sitting on a throne, waist-deep, or chest-length. The image of the Savior Almighty is used in single icons, as part of Deesis compositions, in iconostases, wall paintings, etc. This image still occupies the space of the central dome of an Orthodox church.
Savior Almighty is the central image in the iconography of Christ, representing Him as the Heavenly King and Judge. There are many iconographic types of the Savior: Savior Not Made by Hands, Savior on the Throne, Savior in Powers, Savior King of Kings, Savior Emmanuel.
Prayer to the Savior Almighty -To Jesus the Sweetest
Master Lord Jesus Christ my God, who for the sake of Your ineffable love for mankind was clothed in the flesh at the end of the ages by the Ever-Virgin Mary, I glorify Your saving providence for me, Your servant, Master; I will sing praises to You, because for the sake of the Father I have known You; I will bless You, for whose sake the Holy Spirit has come into the world; I bow to Your flesh, the Most Pure Mother, such worst secret served; I praise Your angelic faces, as the singers and servants of Your Majesty; I honor John the Baptist, who baptized You, O Lord; I honor the prophets who proclaimed You, I glorify Your holy apostles; I triumph and the martyrs, and I glorify Your priests; I worship Your saints, and I cherish all Your righteous ones. I bring such and such a many and ineffable face of the Divine into prayer to Thee, Thy all-generous God, Thy servant, and for this sake I ask forgiveness for my sin, grant me all of Thy for the sake of the saints, more abundantly than Thy holy bounties, for Thou art blessed forever. Amen.
Troparion of thanksgiving to the Savior
Troparion, tone 4
Give thanks to Thy unworthy servants, O Lord, for Thy great blessings upon us; we glorify Thee, bless, give thanks, sing and magnify Thy compassion, and slavishly cry out to Thee in love: O our Benefactor, glory to Thee.
The icon “Lord Pantocrator” may look different, for example, Christ himself is depicted in different positions, but the essence of the icon itself does not change at all. Every church has such an icon; it reminds people that the Savior came to earth in the form of a God-man to take away all the sins of humanity and make the soul immortal, which is why Jesus in the icon holds his right hand in a blessing sign.
The name of the icon contains the term “almighty”, which means that God is strong, and only he can control the destinies of people; it should also be noted that the word is taken from Old Testament, because this is how they initially turned to God, and then they began to turn to Christ.
What is the meaning of the icon “Lord Almighty”?
This image should be found not only in churches, but also in every home of an Orthodox Christian. In the very center of the iconostasis there should always be an icon of the “Lord Pantocrator”, the meaning of which is associated with the designation of the power of Jesus, because it is he who can create a real miracle, and more than once he has proven this in practice to all believers. The face of the Lord is very important for every Christian, since Jesus is the most important judge, he sits on the throne, and in his left hand is the Gospel or a scroll, and with his right hand he blesses Orthodox Christians.
What does the icon look like?
Jesus himself is depicted in different ways, for example, in some icons he sits on a throne, and in some he stands at full height, but its meaning does not change. In Christ's left hand is a holy scripture or scroll, and his right hand shows a sign of blessing to all those who have believed in the Lord. The Gospel is depicted on the icon in an expanded form; only two letters are visible there: alpha and omega. Each of these letters has its own meaning, for example alpha is the beginning, and omega is the end. Let's take a closer look at what the icon of the “Lord Almighty” symbolizes (photo in the article). It depicts Christ at the age when he goes to believers with a sermon and teaches people to live correctly according to God’s laws; a halo in the form of a cross glows above Jesus’ head. 
Even the Savior’s clothing has a symbolic meaning; he is dressed in a blue gamatia and a red tunic. In Christianity Blue colour always symbolizes the beginning in heaven, and red shows the essence of humanity, in which there is a place for both torment and royalty. In total, the interweaving of these two colors indicates that nothing is alien to the Lord, therefore there is harmony between the heavenly beginning and the earthly end.
The importance of the “Lord Pantocrator” icon for Orthodox Christians
The icon “Lord Pantocrator” is important for any Orthodox person. The icon contains a mention that every Christian will receive what he deserves, albeit not in earthly court, but in heavenly court, which is the most responsible and fair, therefore in the icon one can read a call to be more tolerant of each other and more merciful. The image has enormous power, so every believer can say a prayer and ask God to help overcome all difficulties in order to achieve success in their endeavors. It is worth saying a prayer in front of the icon if a person is in grief and needs peace to overcome difficulties. A special prayer is said in front of the icon, in which the person not only asks the Lord to help, but also thanks him for his support and help. 
How can the icon of the “Lord Almighty” help?
There is no doubt that the icon has power, since believers have been convinced more than once that the icon “Lord Pantocrator” is capable of performing a real miracle. Let's take a closer look at what exactly this icon can help with:
How can an icon help in family happiness?
The image has a huge influence in family happiness. For many families, the icon “Lord Almighty” is a talisman; it helps save children from illnesses; even if doctors are powerless, then prayer in front of the icon will help overcome difficulties and cope with any adversity. It is necessary to pray to the Savior sincerely, only in this way can a real miracle happen. Young people who get married are blessed by their parents with the help of this icon; it is believed that only in this way can the marriage become strong and long. 
How and when to pray in front of the icon of the “Lord Pantocrator”
Many Orthodox Christians are wondering what the “Lord Pantocrator” icon should look like, what it helps with, and what kind of prayer should be said in front of it. This divine image does not have a special day when this icon is venerated, so we can say with confidence that one can turn to the Savior in front of it at any time when a person needs to say a prayer of gratitude or petition. Everyone knows that Christ himself is a holiday, and joy, and grace.
You can turn to any icon by saying the prayer “Our Father,” but there is also a separate prayer to the icon of the “Lord Almighty.” At the beginning of the prayer there is an appeal to the Almighty, who came to earth to save all sinful people; it is also described that all believers believe in a miracle and thank Jesus Christ that he does not leave all those who ask in trouble and does not leave them in Hard time. At the end of the prayer, an Orthodox Christian asks the Lord to forgive all sins and grant forgiveness not only to the person who is praying, but also to all loved ones and relatives. 
Is it possible to give an icon of the “Lord Pantocrator”?
The icon may indeed be a good gift, so you can give it from the bottom of your heart to your loved ones. This can be done on any holiday that is important for any Orthodox person. Often this image becomes a gift at a wedding, because this particular icon is an important component of the couple who are about to get married.
As you can see, one of the most important icons for Orthodox Christians is the icon of the “Lord Pantocrator”. The meaning, what it helps with and how exactly it can protect a person from troubles - all this has a huge impact on a person’s subconscious, therefore, if a believer prays in front of an icon with pure thoughts, he can hope for a real miracle in his life.
The icon “Lord Pantocrator” is of great importance for the Orthodox faith. Usually in temples this image is placed in the central dome part. It depicts Christ in the form of Judge and King.
What does the icon “Lord Almighty” mean?
This image occupies a dominant place not only in churches, but also in home iconostases. The term "Almighty" appeared at a time when Christianity was just beginning. It denotes the power of Christ to create anything, and this is the ability of the Most High Himself.
The icons depict Jesus sitting on a throne, either to his full height or to his waist. In his left hand he always holds the Gospel or a scroll, and with his right hand he shows a blessing gesture. Two letters can be written on the Gospel: alpha and omega - this is an indication that the Almighty is the beginning and the end of everything.
How does the icon “Lord Almighty” help?
Prayers are offered in front of the image by people who want to receive a blessing for future affairs or thank for help and support. The icon will help you receive consolation and strength. You can also pray to get rid of physical and spiritual injuries, as well as sinful thoughts. You can make petitions not only for yourself, but also for loved ones. In prayers you can ask to give happiness, to protect from various troubles and death. The clergy talk about the need to turn to the icon not only in difficult times, but also to share joys. The main thing is to read prayers with pure thoughts and an open heart.
It will be interesting to find out not only what they pray for in front of the “Lord Almighty” icon, but also to whom such an image can be given so that it becomes a helper and amulet for a person. Such a face can be presented as a gift to newlyweds as part of the wedding couple, as well as to close relatives and friends. Such a gift would also be suitable for a boss.
Icon "Lord Pantocrator": type, symbolism and theological content of the image
For two thousand years now, the figure of the poor Palestinian preacher Jesus, originally from Nazareth, has dominated the entire European (and not only) culture. Today his followers total more than two billion people, that is, more than thirty percent of the total population of the planet. And there is no country where there does not exist at least a small group of Christian believers. It is quite natural that the image of Christ is imprinted in the world’s artistic heritage, especially in religious painting and iconography. A clear expression of the veneration of Jesus, for example, in Orthodoxy is the icon of the Lord Pantocrator. Its meaning is closely related to Orthodox theology. Therefore, it is necessary to understand a little about the role of Christ in theology.
Jesus in Orthodox Theology
As in all Christian churches, Christ occupies a central place in Orthodox doctrine. This cannot always be felt in the practice of the modern Church, which often demonstrates inertia and superstition, focused on the cult of saints and shrines. But in its theory and dogmatic doctrine, Orthodoxy is a very Christocentric denomination. Jesus, according to her message, is the second person of the Holy Trinity - the Most High God, who created the whole world. The three hypostases of the one God represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The second of them - the Son - descended to earth at the turn of the eras and, through the action of the Holy Spirit, was born from an earthly woman, thereby taking on human nature. The single personality of Christ, thus, unites in itself “unfused, inseparable, unchangeable and inseparable” two natures - divine and human. Since he is God, he is also called Lord. Being himself sinless, Jesus took upon himself the burden of all human sins that separate the Creator and creation, and carried them with his body on the cross. Having been innocently condemned and crucified, Christ thereby atoned for human sins with his blood. On the third day he rose from the dead, and on the fortieth day after that he ascended into the heavenly spheres, where he sat down at the right hand (metaphorically speaking, for the Father has no body) of God the Father, where since then he has invisibly ruled his church and everything. the universe. This is, in brief, the Orthodox doctrine of Jesus Christ.
Jesus in iconography
The icon, being “theology in color,” seeks to reflect the dogmatic understanding of the Savior. It is in the light of dogma that the canonical Orthodox image of Christ should be interpreted. The icon depicts the always risen Christ, from within whom divine light shines. Even if the image is a plot one, which depicts the Savior’s lifetime deeds, it still shows not the earthly Jesus, but the resurrected one. Therefore, an icon is always metahistorical; it reveals the spiritual essence of an event or person, and does not record physical reality. Ultimately, the image is entirely a symbol. And each element in it is a reflection of its spiritual root. It would be fair to say that the icon depicts the indescribable and shows the invisible. All these features are included in the icon of the Lord Pantocrator. Its meaning is determined by the Greek term “Pantocrator”, which means “owning everything, ruling everything, having power over everything, omnipotent.”
Description of the Pantocrator type
Actually, the icon “Lord Pantocrator” is not even an icon, but an iconographic type of image of Christ. According to canonical norms, the Savior is presented in it in the form of a reigning person. The pose can be different - he can stand or sit on the throne. Belt and shoulder-length options for the look are also popular. The icon “Lord Pantocrator” is immediately recognizable by the position of Christ’s hands. In his left he holds a codex, which symbolizes his preaching - the gospel. And the right hand is most often folded in a blessing gesture. In general, this is the most common and recognizable iconographic type of the Savior. It has been known since about the fourth century. And the oldest icon “Lord Pantocrator” today is an image from the Sinai monastery of the sixth century.
Symbolism of "Pantocrator"
Like any iconographic type, “Pantocrator” has its own set of symbols. Most of them, however, are the fruit of subsequent reflection on an already established image. So the interpretation of individual details is rather arbitrary. The icon of the Lord Pantocrator reflects the theological understanding of the figure of Christ - this has already been said above. If at the same time Jesus is dressed in imperial robes, then this emphasizes his absolute power over the cosmos. If the robes are episcopal, then Christ represents the high priest, the redeemer, who sacrificed himself for the sins of mankind. In this capacity, he brings his blood to the heavenly tabernacle and, by virtue of this, is a priest - a mediator between God and people. But most often, the icon “Lord Pantocrator” depicts Christ in his everyday clothes - a chiton, that is, a long shirt and a himation - a cloak. The tunic, however, often features a clave, a vertical golden stripe that symbolizes nobility and power. In ancient times, only aristocrats could wear it. For some time now, the tunic itself has been commonly associated with the church. The traditional halo symbolizes spiritual light, and the cross inscribed in its circumference is the sacrifice of the cross.
Revered images of the "Pantocrator" type
In conclusion, it is necessary to recall that the image is not Christ himself, and that any of them, including the “Lord Pantocrator”, is an icon. The 19th century somewhat downplayed the importance of personal spiritual discipline and practice, with the result that the church community still suffers from the disease of the pursuit of miraculous images. As an example of such a revered icon of the Savior, one can cite the 14th century image of Eleazarovsky, now kept in the monastery of the same name in the Pskov diocese.
Icon "All-Seeing Eye": description and origin
Not very traditional in style and composition, icons that are the result of folk religious reflection are today of great interest to both collectors of antique religious paintings and museums that use them as exhibits in permanent and non-permanent exhibitions. Such icons become themes scientific works and popular in discussions at various forums and conferences. One of these images (namely the icon “ All-seeing eye") will become the topic for this article.
Origin of the icon
This image is an amazing example of how folk art in the field of religion became an example of such a serious discussion and a product in demand in the cult. The “All-Seeing Eye” icon appeared for the first time in the Vladimir lands from the brush of local craftsmen. Accordingly, the first and earliest examples are in the traditions of Vladimir icon painting. This is really a very simple and at the same time beautiful composition. Its complexity lies in the symbolism it carries, since, firstly, it is somewhat at odds with the concept of canonical iconography in the area concerning the method of presenting symbolic keys. And secondly, being a relatively new product (the image first appeared about three hundred years ago, that is, during the decline of the traditions of Russian icon painting), the “All-Seeing Eye” icon contains the conceptual meaning of the author, which from the outside can be interpreted ambiguously.
Performance traditions
The traditional image we are talking about is executed in ocher tones traditional for the Vladimir school. The composition of the icon is unusual, which testifies to the author’s desire to convey all the power and depth of the image through external simplicity.
The All-Seeing Eye icon is one of the most mysterious images full of mysteries. On this basis, as one would expect, a lot of conjectures and various kinds of assumptions are born, from quite convincing versions to phantasmagoric hypotheses that can compete in their sharpness with the best examples of conspiracy theories. However, the image really attracts attention and forces you to immerse yourself in it, concentrating on the hidden meanings. His mysticism and mystery ensured his popularity among believers, even despite the rejection of a significant part of the clergy.
Description of the icon
The main image consists of circles inscribed within each other according to a special pattern. The central place is given to the sphere, in the space of which four eyes, a nose and a mouth are depicted. Of the anthropomorphic figures, at least three are present on the icon - the Savior in the tradition of the Savior Emmanuel, the Mother of God - something between the image of Oranta and the Intercession, as well as the figure of God the Father, the Lord of Hosts, who, by the way, generally cannot be depicted. All of them are located in different circles, so that the “All-Seeing Eye” Icon, the meaning of which in general boils down to the concept of omniscience, omniscience and foresight of God, acquires a unique volume and certain theological accents.
Admirers of the image insist that when contemplating it for a long time, a dome effect arises, changing consciousness to some extent and opening the door to the prayer for the worshiper. spiritual world. In addition, if you peer at the icon with a calm mind in even lighting, the effect of rotation of the spheres will soon arise. The “All-Seeing Eye” icon also acquires its meaning due to the general consistency of all its elements - their coloristic and compositional harmony. She inspires the person looking at her that God constantly sees through every person, knows all his thoughts, feelings, words and deeds, both good and bad. The four eyes that never fall asleep symbolize this constant silent observation, encouraging the believer to practice continually walking in God's presence.
History of the image
If you delve into the history of the image in more detail, you will find out that it first appeared in the 18th century, believed to be under the influence of Western art. Initially, if historical evidence does not lie, it was applied under the dome of the temple. Actually, the composition that we see on the icon is a representation of the architecture of the cross-domed church from the point of view of observing it from lower center under the dome as if the gaze were directed upward. A little later, the samples of icons that circulated became so popular that the icon of the “All-Seeing Eye” of God in the house became quite commonplace.
Modern distribution
Once popular, today this type of iconography is extremely rare. Such icons are extremely difficult to find in churches and even to buy in a church shop. This situation is aggravated by the fact that many clergy consider this image not entirely canonical and warn their flock against becoming carried away by it.
Icon “All-Seeing Eye”: where to hang it in the house
Nevertheless, in the era of rapid technological progress and universal accessibility of the Internet, nothing is impossible. You can easily buy such an icon on the Internet. It can be relatively cheap, printed on paper, or expensive, painted by a real master of icon painting. There is, however, one question that concerns those who already have the All-Seeing Eye icon.
Where should I hang this image? Because for some reason not everyone can put it on a par with the usual icons, either due to its unusualness, or due to some special expectation. The answer will be the simplest - you should hang this icon where it will be visible to you and thus be able to have the desired effect - to remind you of the omnipresence of God and his omniscience. If you are going to contemplate it for a while long periods time, it is better to arrange the image so that it is convenient for you to work with it.
Icon of the Lord Pantocrator on the throne.
Icon of the Lord Pantocrator on the throne (Savior on the throne, Manuel the Savior)
icons of the Lord Pantocrator still exist
two synonymous names - Savior Almighty Pantocrator. The Lord is called Savior (which means Savior in Old Church Slavonic) because he saved humanity from the original sin committed by the ancestors Adam and Eve, redeeming it at the cost of His suffering during the Passion of Christ. And the word Pantocrator is equivalent to the word Almighty, because from the Greek language Pantocrator is translated as All-Powerful, Almighty. The Savior called Himself Almighty in the last book of the New Testament, “The Revelation of John the Theologian”: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to everyone according to his deeds... I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the First and the Last Who was and is and is to come, the Almighty." Calling Christ Almighty proves the dogma of the Incarnation, the incarnation of God. Jesus Christ is also omnipotent - as the Earthly King who rules all people, and God, who created the Earth and all creatures on it, is omnipotent.
The very first icon of the Lord Pantocrator was the half-length encaustic icon of Christ Pantocrator in the Egyptian monastery of St. Catherine on the Sinai Peninsula. On it the Savior is depicted in a pose that has now become typical of the iconography of the Pantocrator: His right hand blesses, in His left Jesus Christ holds the Gospel. In the eyes of Christ Pantocrator there are no reflections or glare - He Himself emits Divine light. Later, this artistic technique will become widely used in Orthodox icon painting, becoming one of the canons of painting not only Christ, but also the Saints. By pointing to the revealed gospel and blessing at the same time, Jesus clearly shows us the way to the salvation of our souls. In the shoulder painting of the image of the Savior Almighty, hands are not visible for obvious reasons.
One of the common variants of the iconography of Christ Pantocrator is Lord Almighty on the throne or Savior on the throne. Christ is depicted here in full growth, sitting on the throne as the Heavenly Judge and King. The right hand still blesses, and the left holds the open Gospel. However, there is a variant of the icon of the Lord Pantocrator on the throne, where the position of the Savior’s hands may be different: the right hand may point to the lines of the revealed Gospel, indicating the primacy of sacred power over secular power; this iconography of Christ Pantocrator is called Manuilov Spas or Spas Golden Riza. According to legend, the Byzantine emperor Manuel I Komnenos himself painted this icon of the Savior Pantocrator on the throne, but at the time of painting the image he quarreled with a Greek priest and ordered him to be punished for disagreeing with the basileus. At night, Manuel had a dream: Christ ordered the angels to punish the emperor for interfering in the affairs of the Church. Waking up, Manuel discovered wounds on his body, and looking at the painted icon, he was stunned: the Savior changed the position of his right hand. Now she did not bless, but pointed to the lines of the Gospel of John, where it was written: “I am the light of the world; whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” From that day on, Manuel always put the sacred above the royal. The image of Manuel the Savior received the name Golden Robe for the rich gilded frame that once adorned the original icon.
Another common image of the Savior on the throne is Savior in Strength. This image literally depicts Christ at the moment of His Second Coming, described by John the Theologian. The figure of the Lord Almighty on the throne is surrounded by heavenly forces - a red rhombus, a symbol of divine fire, enclosed in a blue circle - the Kingdom of Heaven, endless in its grace. woven from angelic ranks, inscribed in turn in a red rectangle - the earthly kingdom, at the corners of which animals are depicted - symbols of evangelists preaching in all four corners of the world.
The icon of the Lord Almighty is always placed in the very center of the iconostasis, serving as a reminder of who is the true King and Judge in the world below.
Most Orthodox Christians have several (or many) icons at home. People believe that each of them can help with a specific problem. According to church rules, the first and most important icon to be purchased is the icon of the Lord Almighty. She alone can replace all the others - because God is the only one who creates miracles, it was He who breathed life into the first people, He continues to create the universe every day.
What does it help with?
Since Christ is the embodiment of God in man, you can turn to Him with absolutely any request. During his earthly journey, the Savior healed many sick and possessed people. He suggested how to properly build your spiritual life, how to behave towards loved ones. All of this is still true today because God never changes.
How does the icon “Lord Almighty” help?
- Gives a blessing before starting an important task.
- Brings relief from ailments.
- Promotes spiritual growth.
- You can rise before her thanksgiving prayers, read the Psalter.
- This image is given after the wedding as a family heirloom.
- You can read prayers in front of it for loved ones who are in trouble.
Daily prayers (in the morning and before bed) are also performed in front of the face of Christ, who is depicted in this image. Such an icon will a great gift to any believer - for example, at baptism, Easter. Don’t forget and thank God for what you have, even if it seems like it’s not enough. You need to accustom your heart to gratitude, and remember that human greed has no limits if it is encouraged.
What does the icon of the Almighty look like?
Looking at the image of God, one should not think that it literally represents a “portrait”. The Bible says that no one saw the Lord, but Christ was sent to earth. It is He who is usually depicted when the image of God is needed.
It is easy to recognize the Pantocrator icon by its description:
- Most often, Christ is depicted frontally from the waist up, but there are also options in full height.
- The fingers of the right hand are folded in a blessing gesture, it can be different. Sometimes the palm is directed outward, sometimes inward, the composition of the fingers is also different. The hand can be near the chest, or slightly to the side. The blessing gesture indicates the good will of God, who wants all people to be saved.
- The head of the Savior is overshadowed by a halo, and a cross can be seen on it. The cross, as elsewhere in other cases, symbolizes the Savior’s sacrifice on Calvary. According to the Greek tradition, the letters Omega, Omicron, Nu are written on the halo - together they mean the word Jehovah, one of the names and characteristics of God, according to the Holy Scriptures. An important inscription, it points to the divine (and not just human) nature of Christ.
- An abbreviated version of the name Jesus Christ is also written on the image - also in Greek letters, to the left and right of the face (two letters on each side). This rule, however, applies to all icons. The name of Christ also has a symbolic meaning - “savior”. In general, the very Name of God, its pronunciation, is considered a blessing. Therefore, one of the commandments prohibits uttering it in idle speech.
- The Lord holds the Bible in his left hand. In some cases the hand holds the Book by top part, in some - behind the bottom. It can be either open or closed. On open sheets Church Slavonic language an excerpt from the Gospel of John is written about the commandment of love. Or the Greek Alpha and Omega are depicted here, as a symbol that God is the beginning and end of everything.
In the icon of the Lord Pantocrator, depicting Christ in full height, he can sit on the throne, holding an open Bible on his knees. On the dome paintings, an open book floats at chest level, and both hands of the Savior are raised in a blessing gesture.
What does the image of the Savior say?
The meaning of the “Almighty” icon is, first of all, to remind of the qualities of God, also of the mystery of the Incarnation. The image of Christ says that saving people from eternal punishment for sins is possible only by faith in the Gospel message - the Savior has come to the world!
The very word “Almighty” means the ruler of everything, the One who can do anything. It also points to the dual nature of Christ - being God, He is also a man in the full sense of the word.
Dogmatically this is very important image, excluding various heresies: for example, that Christ was a “ghost,” creating only the appearance of a body, and not a real person. The Church struggled with such heresies in the first centuries of Christianity, but to this day there are reminders on icons for people to adhere to the correct confession of faith.
The commandment of love (written in the Book) is repeated several times in the New Testament. Christ says that people should love each other as much as He loves them. And the measure of Jesus' love is obvious - He died on the cross to atone for the sins of everyone. Therefore, almighty God appears here not as a convicting judge, but as a merciful father waiting for the return of prodigal children.
Even the color of Christ’s clothes is of particular significance. The red color of the chiton speaks of both suffering and royal dignity. Blue is of heavenly origin, because the Savior has two principles, divine and human.
It is also not for nothing that the icon “Lord Pantocrator” contains an image of the Book. It symbolizes the Gospel - the good news brought by Christ to the whole world. Also means she is the one new world, which will be created by God after the second coming of Christ. It also symbolizes the Book of Life, where the names of all those who loved God are written.
What did God look like?
An icon is not a portrait. The Gospel itself does not give an unambiguous description of the appearance of Jesus Christ. The Lord left it a secret for subsequent generations. However, the canonical appearance that people see on the icons of Christ the Pantocrator is not at all accidental, it is not the fantasy of icon painters. History has preserved very ancient images and descriptions of contemporaries.
The heroes of the New Testament perceived the appearance of the Savior as the most ordinary; they did not see anything special or supernatural in it. Christ himself hid the Divine glory so as not to frighten those around him, revealing it only a few times (on Mount Tabor and during baptism).
An important literary source is a letter from the proconsul of Judea, where Christ is attributed to tall stature, brown hair, smooth skin, a red forked beard, blue sparkling eyes. The manner of conversation is described as calm and very pleasant. The author of the description recognizes the entire appearance of the Savior as “most beautiful.”
In the first centuries, Christians depicted Christ allegorically - in the form of a fish, a lamb, a pelican, a dolphin, a lamb with an anchor. In the 7th century, however, such drawings were prohibited by a resolution of the Council.
Frescoes close to the orthodox ones appeared in the catacombs, during the period of Roman persecution. Today's traditions of depicting Christ Pantocrator on icons developed in the 6th century, although a number of images date back to Gospel times.
How to Pray to the Lord
Gospel texts instruct believers not to indulge in ostentatious prayers, condemning verbosity. Sincere words, even if short, are more pleasing to God than long ornate but empty prayers. Every Christian must know the text of the main Christian prayer “Our Father” by heart even before baptism.
Prayer before the icon of the Almighty can be about anything: after all, the Lord is able to fulfill any request. True, there is one condition here - it must contribute to the good of a person, contribute to his spiritual growth. God is not an automaton for satisfying passions; a Christian must strive for salvation, think about the soul and about his neighbors.
Our Father, who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Our Father who art in heaven! hallowed be your name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Prayer to the icon of the Lord Pantocrator
Master Christ God, who healed my passions with His passions and healed my ulcers with His wounds, grant me, who have sinned much to You, tears of tenderness; dissolve my body from the smell of Your Life-Giving Body, and delight my soul with Your Honest Blood from sorrow, with which the enemy gave me a drink; raise my mind to You, which has fallen down, and lift me from the abyss of destruction: for I am not the imam of repentance, I am not the imam of tenderness, I am not the imam of comforting tears, leading children to their inheritance. Having darkened my mind in worldly passions, I cannot look to You in illness, I cannot warm myself with tears, even love for You. But, Master Lord Jesus Christ, treasure of the good, grant me complete repentance and a laborious heart to seek Thy, grant me Thy grace and renew in me the images of Thy image. Leave Thee, do not leave me; go forth to seek me, lead me to Thy pasture and number me among the sheep of Thy chosen flock, educate me with them from the grain of Thy Divine Sacraments, through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen.
In the Orthodox world, images of the Son of God have always been the most revered. It is believed that these icons have a special power that can help a person even in hopeless situations.
The famous image of “Savior Almighty” has always been one of the most important objects of religious worship. From time immemorial, Christians revered and were afraid of angering both God himself and his son, therefore they turned to them for help only in the most necessary cases. It is this icon that always reminds believers of the terrible judgment that awaits everyone who engages in unpalatable deeds and commits unforgivable sins.
History of the icon “Savior Almighty”
The idea of creating the icon is attributed to the famous Russian icon painter Andrei Rublev. The image is part of the famous composition of the Deesis order, which depicts many Saints, but it is Jesus Christ who occupies the central place on it. The “Savior Pantocrator” was first noticed back in the 4th century in one of the Byzantine churches, but there is an assumption that the shrine adorning the walls of a religious institution was only similar to the miraculous image of the Son of God.
According to another version, the icon of the Savior appeared after the king of the state of Osroene was miraculously able to recover from a serious illness with the help of his faith in higher power. One day, an unfortunate patient turned to Jesus Christ with a request to give him recovery in exchange for the royal residence. However, the Messiah refused to help him, but promised that after his resurrection he would definitely send him one of his disciples who could cure the king. After a while, the patient’s request was fulfilled, the Savior sent him one of his apostles, Thaddeus, and soon all the ruler’s torments quickly passed. After this miracle, he wanted to thank Jesus for his help. He found a painter and ordered him to paint the image of the Savior, but, unfortunately, nothing came of it the first time. Then the Son of God washed, dried himself with a handkerchief, on which there were imprints of his face, and handed it to the artist along with a letter to the king, in which he wrote his confession to him.
It is now believed that the image of the “Savior Almighty” has a special power that helps in healing mental and physical traumas, in getting rid of sins, and a prayer said in front of the icon can protect from troubles and even death.
The meaning of the icon “Savior Almighty”
There are several variations of the icon of the Savior. Most often, Jesus Christ is depicted on the throne in full height or waist-length. In his left hand he may hold a sacred scroll or a Gospel, which may be closed or open. IN the latter case on the sheets you can see combinations of two letters from the Hebrew alphabet: alpha and omega, which symbolizes the beginning and the end. With his right hand, the Son of God gestures to show his blessing. Above his head is a halo in the form of a net. On Jesus Christ you can see blue and red clothes, which mean rebirth and human essence, as well as the torment of people on earth. We can say that the image of the “Almighty” conveys the essence of the earthly and heavenly life of all of us.
How does the icon of the Savior help?
The great image of Jesus Christ “Savior Almighty” reminds people of the inevitable onset of the Last Judgment that awaits a person after death. However, at the same time, he makes it clear that God is merciful to all people and can have mercy on each of us. In sorrows and difficult times of your life, you can pray before the image of the Savior, asking him to deliver you from torment, take you away from terrible sins, or save you from mental and physical trauma. Many believers who sincerely believe in the power of the shrine ask for the preservation of marriage, harmony in life, mutual understanding between loved ones and colleagues, as well as protection from evil people and deceptions and intrigues on their part.
A striking example of the miraculous power of the icon is a case that one woman, whose name is now unknown, told journalists of a famous Orthodox publication. One day her son committed a terrible crime. He committed murder and, as befits a criminal, was tried. Shocked mother for a long time couldn't believe that she close person could have done such an act. Every day became unbearable for her, and in order to somehow alleviate the torment, she attended church every day. The priest, who noticed the regular guest, listened to her sad story and advised her to pray in front of the icon of the Almighty Savior. The priest explained this by saying that even prayer in front of the image of Jesus Christ would help her protect her son and alleviate the torment for committing a sin. Every day a woman in front of the shrine asked for the protection of her loved one. Several years passed, her son was released from prison ahead of schedule, but after that he himself became a respectable visitor to the church, where he made amends for the crime committed many years ago. In her story, the mother expressed the opinion that it was higher powers that helped her reason with her son and ease his suffering in captivity.
This is just one of the cases that shows the power and capabilities of the miraculous image. If your faith is strong and unshakable, then one day you will be able to turn to the Saints for help, who may hear your prayer requests and help you.
Days of celebration of the icon “Savior Almighty”
Every year the celebration of the image of the Savior takes place on September 8 (August 26, old style). On the same Orthodox Church venerates another important shrine - the icon of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Catholic believers on this day celebrate the birth of the Virgin Mary and remember the miraculous events that happened many years ago and gave the world the Great Mother of God, who later became the Mother of the Great Son of God.
If you want to ask the Savior for the most secret things, to improve your life, to get rid of negative thoughts and mental suffering, then you should turn to this image of Jesus Christ. Attend church on September 8 and share with the Savior everything that worries you. After all, it is on the days of celebration of miraculous icons that their powers increase, and therefore any of your requests will be fulfilled.
Where is the miraculous icon located?
In many Orthodox churches In our country you can see the miraculous image of Jesus Christ “Savior Almighty”. However, the most revered icon is located in Panteleimonovsky Blagovest, in the city of Zhukovsky, in the Moscow region.
You can also pray in front of the icon in the Church of the Annunciation Holy Mother of God, which is located in the village of Yasnye Zori, in the Belgorod region.
Residents and guests of Moscow can visit the Church of Saints Athanasius and Cyril, where they can also pray in front of the image of our Savior.
Prayer before the icon of Jesus Christ
You can pray in front of the icon both in a temple or church, and at home. The strength of your prayer requests will depend primarily on the sincerity of your words.
“Merciful and powerful Lord, I always turn to You with my troubles and anxieties. Hear me in difficult times, help me overcome life’s difficulties, deliver me from terrible and unforgivable sins. Only to You can I come for selfless help. Believe, Lord of Heaven, in the sincerity of my words, just as I believe in your existence and immeasurable power. Do not be lenient towards me, but protect me and my neighbors from terrible sins and deeds that are not pleasing to you. Protect me from evil people, traitors and gossips. We are all within Your sight, so take my enemies away from me. In anticipation of the terrible judgment, I believe in Your mercy and kindness. Amen!"
You can turn to an icon not only in moments of difficulty in your life. You can ask Jesus Christ for salvation from sins or pray for your loved ones.