Christ the Pantocrator

[jtodisco]

Hello everyone, I’m hopeful that someone on the forums will be able to answer this somewhat random question for me. I have own a beautiful picture of Christ that looks very similiar to this image I found online: balkan-icons.com/gallery_fin/gallery_3/Christ_the_Pantocrator__11__800.jpg

I’ve always been fond of this ancient portrayal of our Lord and understand some of the symbolism that is depicted in the artwork. However, there is one aspect of it I do not understand at all and would love to have explained to me.

In the image you can see that Christ’s free hand has his thumb touching one of his fingers (this seems to vary somewhat between images, in this one he’s touching his thumb to his ring finger). What does this gesture mean? It seems that it is also always Christ’s right hand which is making this gesture, while the left hand it always holding the Bible (though this too varies, sometimes the Bible is opened, sometimes not. In the image I own the Bible is opened). Again, what is the reason behind this?

I appreciate any insights you may be able to give me. Thanks.

 

[Holly3278]

I am not entirely certain but is it similar to the way that many people hold their fingers when making the sign of the cross?

 

[jtodisco]

No, this appears to be noticeably different than the way one would begin to make the sign of the cross. Though that was certainly a good thought. Thanks.

 

[SarahR]

Maybe this?

russian-crafts.com/russian-icons/description/pantocrator.html
…Christ here is Christ the Teacher: the gesture of Christ’s right hand is not the gesture of blessing, but the orator’s gesture; the identical gesture is to be seen in a panel from an ivory diptych of an enthroned vice-prefect, a Rufius Probianus, ca 400, of which Peter Brown remarks, “With his hand he makes the ‘orator’s gesture’ which indicates that he is speaking, or that he has the right to speak.”

 

[Rawb]

It’s a blessing sign of The Trinity.

The first finger represents God the Father. The two touching fingers represent Christ’s being 100% Divine and 100% Human. The fingers touch to show that His natures cannot be separated. The third finger represents Christ, and the last finger represents The Holy Spirit.

Some people, particularly in the Eastern Churches, do this when they make the Sign of the Cross.

 

[Rolltide]

It is symbolic. The two fingers touched together represent the dual nature of Christ, human and divine. The three remaining fingers represent the Trinity. Most icons that feature Christ will have some variant of this hand gesture. The same symbolism can also be represented by the index and middle finger together and held up, with the thumb touching the ring and pinkie fingers.

 

[Holly3278]

No, this appears to be noticeably different than the way one would begin to make the sign of the cross. Though that was certainly a good thought. Thanks.

Oh okay. Thanks for the info!

It’s a blessing sign of The Trinity.

The first finger represents God the Father. The two touching fingers represent Christ’s being 100% Divine and 100% Human. The fingers touch to show that His natures cannot be separated. The third finger represents Christ, and the last finger represents The Holy Spirit.

Some people, particularly in the Eastern Churches, do this when they make the Sign of the Cross.

I thought of this too but decided not to comment on that earlier.

 

[cecilia97]

Come to Houston to visit the only intact Byzantine frescos in the Western hemisphere, with image of Christ Pantokrator:

menil.org/visit/byzantine.php

I love the ancient images and am so happy they appear to be gaining in popularity over the mediocre liturgical art I grew up with.

 

[dnu]

The hand is forming “ICXC”

oca.org/QA.asp?ID=244&SID=3

 

[rben20]

In the image you can see that Christ’s free hand has his thumb touching one of his fingers (this seems to vary somewhat between images, in this one he’s touching his thumb to his ring finger). What does this gesture mean?

Christ blesses us with His right hand, His fingers formed into the shape of the Greek letters “IC XC,” the abbreviation in Greek for Jesus Christ.

This is straight from skete.com who sell Eastern Orthodox icons. It is a great site if you are interested in buying icons or would like to know the background of certain icon paintings/laminations. I also buy icons from light n life.

This ancient artwork is know as iconography. While the tradition has somewhat died out in Catholicism there are a few who still do icons for the Latin Rite, but it is still very much a part of our Eastern Catholic and Orthodox brothers. They are beautiful and called “windows into heaven.” A great gift for meditation and prayer.

 

[jtodisco]

Thank you all for your insights into this icon of Christ! As I’ve said, I have always felt drawn to this particular representation of the Lord and am glad to have a better understanding of the symbolism contained within it now.

 

[jimmaguire]

Taken from: oca.org/QA.asp?ID=244&SID=3

"Placement of Fingers in Icons

QUESTION:

What is the significance of the placement of the fingers of the right hand I notice in icons of Christ and certain saints?

---

ANSWER:

The fingers are arranged to form the following letters – IC XC – which are the first and last letters of “Jesus” and “Christ” in Greek.

Hence, the index finger points upward, forming an “I.” The middle finger is curved to form a “C.” The fourth finger crosses over the thumb to form an “X,” while the little finger is curved in a manner similar to that of the middle finger, thereby forming another “C.”

In Christ,

Father John Matusiak
OCA Communications Director"

You are not alone. I find this image and it’s placement in Orthodox Christian Churches to be very intriguing. There are several scriptures in the New Testament that talk of Christ as The Almighty God which is what Pan.toc.ra.tor means. Here is one of those scriptures:

Colossians 1:15-22 (New International Version)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 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. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 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. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Next is what does Christ as Pan.toc.ra.tor mean for our salvation and sanctity.

Col 3:1-5 (NKJV)
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will be with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Eph 2:6 (NIV)
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Hebrews 11:1 (New International Version)
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

1 John 3 (New International Version)
1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

I think this is why this is one of the most important icons in the Orthodox Christian Church reserved to being placed in the biggest main dome of their church buildings. You look up and see the Hope of our salvation to be glorified as Christ is glorified and live in faith of this promise by God that we are His adopted children because of the grace giving sacrifice of Jesus the Eternal Word that became the Only Begotten Son. We no longer invest ourselves in our flesh and the world but in Christ Jesus who has prepared a place for us by being raised from the dead and sitting at the right hand of Glory.

Matthew 6:21 (New International Version)
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

[jimmaguire]

I forgot to add this scripture about Christ who has entered into heaven for us as High Priest.

Hebrews 6:13-20 (New International Version)
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

 

[jimmaguire]

 

[DrTinz]

From printeryhouse.org/icons/C07.asp:

The Origins of This Image

The word Pantocrator is Greek, meaning “Ruler of All.” 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. The oldest known icon of Christ Pantocrator 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 Pantocrator icons produced over the last 1500 years.

On the inside of the central dome in Orthodox churches is frequently found an immense mosaic or painting of Christ Pantocrator. The Pantocrator image typically found in church domes is very stern and formidable, expressing in full the concept of “Ruler of All.” Smaller, personal icons, while retaining the same majesty, more often represent a gentle and compassionate Lord. Our reproduction is of this more gentle type and provides for us a warm, approachable portrait of our personal Lord and Savior.

Theology and Symbolism

In this image of Christ Pantocrator, 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 Pantocrator 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 (in our example), Matthew 11:27, and Matthew 25:34.

The arrangement of fingers on Jesus’ right hand raised in blessing is significant. Two different forms may be seen in iconography. These two forms date from a schism that split the Russian Orthodox church in 1667. Patriarch Nikon instituted reforms that a group of people who came to be known as the Old Believers refused to accept. This icon displays the Old Believer form: Thumb, ring finger and little finger are bent together symbolizing the divine and human natures of Christ, while the forefinger and slightly bent middle finger are held upright. The second, or State Church 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.”

Christ’s halo, the iconographic symbol for sanctity, is inscribed with a cross and the Greek letters omicron, omega, nu, spelling “HO ON.” In English, this becomes “Who Am,” the name used for God in Exodus 3:14. On the background is written “IC XC.”

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.