Christ Pantocrator

Unknown iconographer (6th century) — c. 540–565 · Encaustic on panel · Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” — Revelation 1:8 (KJV)

About

The oldest icon of Christ to survive — painted in hot wax at Saint Catherine's Monastery in the Sinai desert, whose isolation saved it when icon-smashing emperors destroyed nearly all the rest. One side of Christ's face is sterner, the other gentler.

The Meaning

Christ Pantocrator — the Almighty, ruler of all — raises His hand in blessing and holds the jeweled Gospels. The two sides of His face are often read as His two works: righteous Judge, and merciful Saviour.

For Us Today

The Lord who will judge the world is the same Lord who blesses. We do not have a soft Christ or a hard Christ, but one Christ — and we must receive Him as both.

Image: Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons — the file’s page. Tap the picture to open the full-size original there.