April 27, 2005
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Our Lord, God & Savior Jesus Christ,
Christ Pantocrator
This Icon is from the first half of the 6th century, it is one of my all time favorites. The original is at St. Catherine’s Monastery in Egypt. Fr. C. spent a summer at St. Catherine’s monastery when he was a theology student.
Christ is depicted with his right hand raised in blessing. In his left hand is the Gospel. This icon was written to depict the fact that Christ is both the ruler of all, thus our Judge, and the Savior of the world. The right half of his face (from the viewer’s perspective) shows Him to be the Judge who sees all; the left: our merciful Savior.
Troparion
We reverence thy spotless icon, O gracious Lord, and ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ our God: for of thine own good will thou wast pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that thou mightest deliver from bondage to the enemy those whom thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry aloud unto Thee: Thou hast filled all things with joy, O our Savior, for Thou didst come to save the world.
Comments (2)
This is the icon I picture most when I am praying/worshipping and my mind wanders. I really love it. When I buy my first icons (probably this summer) I will get this one first of all.
I saw it on your blog and you inspired me to post about it here. Thank you Beth! I really love it too. In the guest house of the Monastery in England I always liked sleeping in the bedroom that had this icon! I am going to have to ask Fr. C. just were it is hanging in the monastery on Sinai. How exciting to be looking forward to buying icons. The Theology behind icons is sooo amazing , especially this one. Glory be to God!