Christ Pantocrator

Ruler of All

Ὁ Παντοκράτωρ · ΙϹ ΧϹ

Technique: Egg tempera and gold leaf on wood
Status: Completed · private collection

About this icon

Christ Pantocrator, “Ruler of All”, is one of the oldest images of Christ in iconography. In the cross of his halo are the Greek letters Ὁ Ὤν, “He who is”, the name God gives himself before Moses. The letters IC XC abbreviate the name Jesus Christ.

His face is turned fully toward the one who prays before the icon. It is a face to be met rather than looked at.