Jesus Christ Pantocrator
23K Gold leaf  and Acrylic on Wood Panel
7.25"x10"

This image of Christ is based on the mosaic from the Cathedral in Monreale ("Santa Maria la Nuova"), Sicily, Italy, which dates from the 12th or 13th century.

The word 'Pantocrator', comes from the Greek Παντοκράτωρ and means "the All Powerful" / "Ruler of All". This iconic image was one of the first depictions of Christ developed in the Early Christian Church and remains a central icon of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The oldest known surviving example of the icon of Christ Pantocrator was done in the sixth or seventh century (Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai).

Christ is shown both as the Righteous Judge and the Lover of Mankind. In this half-length image, Christ holds the Gospel in his left hand and blesses with his right. The Greek and Latin inscription reads: 'I am the light of the world. He who follows shall not walk in the darkness'.