Christ Unites All

Colossians 1:15-20 "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross."

The Origins of the Image of "Christ the Pantokrator" on our home page.

The word "Pantokrator" is Greek, meaning "Ruler of All." We believe in the Supremacy of Christ. note: Colossians 1:15-23. It is Christ who reconciles and unites to himself all things.The image expresses the central reality of the Christian faith; the Divine Majesty of the creator and ruler of all the world, made flesh and therefore visible to us in the person of Christ Jesus our redeemer. Christ rules and unites all.

The oldest known icon of Christ Pantokrator was written in the sixth century and preserved in the remote monastery of St. Catherine in the Sinai desert. The location enabled the image to survive the destruction of most icons during the iconoclastic era in Byzantine history, (726 to 815 AD.) Our reproduction is of a contemporary icon, akin in style to innumerable Christ Pantokrator icons produced over the last 1500 years.

Theology and Symbolism

In this image of Christ Pantokrator, Jesus is presented in a half length pose, looking directly at the viewer, with his left hand holding the Sacred Word and his right hand raised in blessing. He is dressed in the traditional garb of tunic and cloak. His cloak, called in Greek a "himation" is dark blue signifying the mystery of His divine life. His tunic is a bright crimson red to signify His human blood shed for us all. The garments of the Messiah in Isaiah 63:1-4 were red, as was the soldier’s cloak put on Jesus’ shoulders during his passion (Matthew 27:28.)

The Bible he holds in his left hand is open to display a passage from the Gospel. Various passages are used in Pantokrator icons as are various languages. The most common is Matthew 11:28, "Come to me all you that are weary..." Other verses used have been John 7:24, John 8:12, John 13:34, John 14:6, Matthew 11:27, and Matthew 25:34.

The arrangement of fingers on Jesus’ right hand raised in blessing is significant.    This icon displays the Thumb, ring finger and little finger which are bent together symbolizing the divine and human natures of Christ, while the forefinger and slightly bent middle finger are held upright. The form spells out Iesous Khristos, the Greek shortened form of Christ’s name, "IC XC." The index finger is straight, forming the "I," the middle and little fingers are curved into "C" shapes, and the thumb and ring finger cross slightly to form the "X."

The face of Jesus follows ancient traditions. The eyes are large and open, looking directly into the soul of the viewer. The forehead, identified as the seat of wisdom,  is high and convex. The nose is long and slender, contributing a look of nobility.   The mouth is small and closed in the silence of contemplation. The hair is curled   and flowing, recalling the endless flow of time. The neck and body are powerful reminders of His strength and majesty.