Orthodoxy is rich in various faces of saints. Among them, the most important is the icon of God the Father Almighty. It can often be seen in the domed part of any temple. She is one of the main icons of the life of every Christian. There are several varieties of this image. Which one to choose is your personal opinion. The most important thing is to understand the meaning of the main components and symbolism. The image of the Almighty is often presented in the form of the face of Jesus Christ, as King and Judge. In Greek he is often called Pantocrator. This means the Lord's ability to perform miracles, which is only his peculiarity.
The meaning of the icon of the Lord Pantocrator
The significance of this face is difficult to overestimate. It contains a reminder of the heavenly court that awaits everyone and the presence of mercy and kindness. She helps believers overcome all difficulties and trials to achieve the best. This divine image recalls the unity of the human and spiritual, as well as the sacrifice that Christ showed for the sake of people.
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The icon of the Almighty helps people find solace in sorrow, peace, strength to overcome obstacles, and peace.
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Saying prayers in front of this divine image, people give thanks for support and help, and also wish to receive blessings for future affairs.
Appearance of the first image of Christ
Church Tradition speaks about the appearance of the first image of the Savior, His “portrait”. King Abgar of Edessa (1st century), who was suffering from leprosy, sent a painter to the lands of Israel to paint an image of Jesus. Not being able to see the Savior himself, the king wanted to see at least His image. So he hoped to receive healing. However, the painter was unable to paint the image due to the large number of people surrounding Christ.
Then the Savior pressed a piece of material to His face, on which a miraculous imprint remained. This image was sent to King Abgar. Currently, the location of the miraculous image is unknown. According to one version, the crusaders kidnapped him from Constantinople in the 13th century. However, the ship was wrecked in the Sea of Marmara. According to another, this ubrus, which is the shrine of the monastery of the Apostle Bartholomew in Genoa (Italy).
Description of the meaning of the iconographic image
Jesus is sinless by nature, which is why he shouldered the entire burden of worldly sins. Jesus was convicted and sentenced to crucifixion, thus atoning for all the sins of the people. He is a representative of the Holy Trinity, namely the Son who descended to Earth and, through the action of the Holy Spirit, was born from a woman, thereby taking on the form of a man.
Mostly in the icons depicting Jesus Christ Pantocrator, glimpses of divine light are visible flowing from within him. Taking this aspect into account, we can say that the icons show not just the physical state, but also the spiritual essence, and therefore reveal to the viewer the divine nature of Jesus.
The icon of the Lord Pantocrator is, on the one hand, a unit of religious art, and on the other hand, a whole iconographic type of image of the Lord God. It should be understood that the icon of God the Father Almighty is non-canonical, since the Almighty is not generally depicted in Orthodoxy; only Jesus and symbolically the Holy Spirit are depicted.
Appearance of Christ
The evangelists did not describe the appearance of the Son of God who came into the world. But it is known that the Lord Almighty was perceived by people as an ordinary person, the son of a carpenter:
“Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” (Gospel of Luke, 4:22);
“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, Josiah, Judah and Simon?” (Gospel of Mark, 6:3).
There is a legendary version, not yet confirmed by historical facts. According to it, the appearance of Christ was described by the proconsul of Judea Publius Lentulus (1st century). His purported letter to the Roman Emperor Tiberius contains the following passage:
“This man is tall, important and has an appearance full of dignity, so that he inspires fear and love in those who look at him at the same time. The hair on his head is smooth, darkish in color (chestnut), falling from his shoulders in strands and parted in the middle, according to the custom of the Nazarenes. His forehead is open and smooth, there are no spots or wrinkles on his face, his complexion is slightly reddish. The beard is red and thick, not long, but forked. The eyes are blue and unusually shiny. His figure is tall, his arms are straight and long, his shoulders are beautiful. His speech is thoughtful, faithful and restrained. This is the most beautiful of earthly creatures."
Ancient icon
The very first image is considered to be an icon from the Sinai Monastery. Christ is depicted in traditional vestments, seated on a throne with a pillow and stool at his feet.
The throne is an attribute of royal dignity. This is exactly how we will see the Savior on the Day of the Last Judgment, when He appears on the sinful earth in order to carry out the Judgment of God on the living and the dead.
In icon painting, there are several interpretations of the Almighty: Manuel the Savior, the Savior in Power, the Soul Savior, the Merciful.
Image of Jesus Christ Lord Almighty. Temple icon
History of the image
History has not preserved the exact date when the icon of Jesus Christ the Pantocrator was painted.
All that remains is evidence of its external appearance, the prototype of which was the Image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, glorified in the 4th century. It was during this period that several icons of the Lord were discovered in the catacomb churches. On them He was depicted as the Good Shepherd, the youth Emmanuel and even Orpheus. From the 4th century, icon painters began to paint Christ in the image of a radiant youth in white robes, surrounded by a host of apostles.
More about the icons of the Lord:
- Icon of the Holy Trinity
- Icon of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
- How and when does the icon of Jesus Christ help?
And a little later, the Almighty is conveyed to us as an adult man with a long beard, holding a book in one hand, the other extended to the people in the gesture of an orator or preacher. Since the 5th century, Jesus has been depicted as a king.
The icon of the Almighty greatly outraged the heretics who did not recognize the divine essence of Christ. They considered Him an ordinary man upon whom the Holy Spirit had descended.
But the Ecumenical Councils, which affirmed the Orthodox doctrine, testified that Jesus Christ is the God-man of divine and human nature at the same time. He appeared into the world in the form of a man in order to, through His Life, heal humanity from sin and open the door to the Kingdom of Heaven.
In the 8th century, under the reign of Leo III the Isaurian, an iconoclast and heretic, Orthodox icons were actively destroyed, and Christians were imprisoned and subjected to terrible torture and execution. Soon, with God's help, the heretics were defeated and condemned at the VII Ecumenical Council. Since then, the icon of the Savior Almighty has become a symbol of the truth of the Orthodox faith.
In modern churches, the Image of Pantocrator is traditionally placed above the central dome of the temple and in the center of the iconostasis.
Lord Almighty. St. Vladimir's Cathedral in Kyiv
What are they asking for?
In addition to the meaning of the icon, the Lord Almighty is worth knowing what else helps. This image is used not only to pray and ask for something. We can also give thanks for everything that the Lord has given us. People often turn to it to get rid of:
physical injuries, mental injuries, sinful thoughts.
He is also invoked from:
meanness and cruelty, to avoid trouble and death, not to become a victim of deception and greedy actions of other people.
This face can also act as a talisman in the family and achieve harmony. Many knowledgeable people say that there is no illness for which this face cannot help. You can turn to her even with the most terrible diagnoses.
In addition, this face is one of the components of wedding couples. He protects the family unit. It is with them that parents bless their son for a long, happy, family life.
There is no specific day of veneration for this icon. It is believed that the one who is depicted on the icon is also Joy and Grace.
How to pray correctly
Jesus Christ does not require any special honors or rituals. Prayer to him must comply with general canons and not go beyond the bounds of decency. Enough to be heard:
- before reading the prayer in front of the icon and at the end of it, cross yourself three times;
- do not ask for harm to any living being or for the implementation of any selfish plans;
- the person praying must be pure in soul and body;
- the text of the prayer can be read before the icon by heart or on a piece of paper;
- After praying in front of the icon, you are allowed to turn to God in your own words, telling about the situation that worries you.
How does the icon of the Lord Pantocrator help?
It will also give strength and comfort. By praying to her, a true Christian will get rid of:
sinful thoughts, spiritual, physical injuries.
You can ask the image of the Lord:
protection from death and troubles, absence of disappointments and deceptions, protection from meanness and cruelty.
It is necessary to turn to the Lord not only with requests, but also in moments of joy. You need to come to the temple with gratitude. Prayers should be offered only with an open heart and pure thoughts. You can ask not only for yourself, but also for your loved ones.
The holy image helps the believer achieve:
harmony, promotes peace, preserves marriage, mutual understanding.
This image has a very great influence in the family. It serves as a talisman. With its help you can protect children from diseases and misfortunes. They say that there are no diseases against which the Healer of bodies and souls can be powerless. Even the most terrible diagnoses are addressed to this icon.
And if the faith of the sufferer is ardent, strong and sincere, then he will get rid of any adversity. Before this image, they ask for health and happiness for relatives and loved ones. This face is part of the wedding couple. Often the groom's parents bless him for a happy, long and strong marriage.
We need to remember prayers of gratitude, since events in our lives are sometimes nothing more than a bright Divine provision.
This face is found in every temple. There are no specific days of celebration for this divine image. It is generally accepted that the One depicted on it is the Holiday, Joy and Grace.
This icon is often addressed with the “Our Father” prayer, but there are others, for example:
“My many-merciful and all-merciful God, Lord Jesus Christ, for the sake of love you came down and became incarnate for many reasons, so that you would save everyone. And again, Savior, save me by grace, I pray to You; Even if you save me from works, there is no grace and no gift, but more than debt. Hey, abundant in generosity and ineffable in mercy! Believe in Me, you say, O my Christ, you will live and will not see death forever. Even if faith in You saves the desperate, behold, I believe, save me, for You are my God and Creator. Let faith instead of works be imputed to me, O my God, for you will not find works to justify me. But may my faith prevail instead of all, may it answer, may it justify me, may it show me to be a partaker of Your eternal glory. Let Satan not kidnap me, and boast to the Word that he has torn me from Your hand and fence; But either I want, save me, or I don’t want, Christ my Savior, I will soon foresee, I will soon perish: For you are my God from my mother’s womb. Grant me, O Lord, now to love Thee, as sometimes I have loved that same sin; and again work for You without laziness, just as you worked before the flattering Satan. Above all, I will serve You, my Lord and God Jesus Christ, all the days of my life, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen".
God bless you!
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Watch the video story about the icon “Lord Pantocrator”:
Texts of prayers
Prayer #1
Master Lord Jesus Christ my God, who, for the sake of Your ineffable love for mankind, at the end of the ages was clothed in flesh by the Ever-Virgin Mary, I glorify Your saving providence for me, Your servant, Master; I will sing praises to You, because for the sake of the Father I have known You; I will bless You, for whose sake the Holy Spirit has come into the world; I bow to Your Most Pure Mother in the flesh, Who served such a terrible secret; I praise Your angelic faces, as the singers and servants of Your Majesty; I honor John the Baptist, who baptized You, O Lord; I honor the prophets who proclaimed You, I glorify Your holy apostles; I triumph and the martyrs, and I glorify Your priests; I worship Your saints, and I cherish all Your righteous ones. I bring such and such a many and ineffable face of the Divine into prayer to You, Thy all-generous God, Thy servant, and for this sake I ask forgiveness for my sin, grant me all of Thy for the sake of the saints, more than Thy holy bounties, for Thou art blessed forever, amen.
How does the icon of the Lord Pantocrator help?
As stated earlier, the icon of the Savior Pantocrator is of fundamental importance for the Orthodox. This image is prayed to for a variety of reasons. The icon of Jesus Pantocrator helps to get rid of various difficulties, gain stronger faith and consolation, but one more more than significant meaning should be noted.
In order to express their own joy, their own faith, people often pray precisely to the image of the Lord Almighty, thus expressing to him, let’s say, their own recognition.
These feelings are difficult to express in words and are often accessible only to believers who have understood how great the joy that comes from the Lord, how great the feat of Christ is and what enormous value the Orthodox faith has.
Some copies of this icon are considered miraculous, and there are attested facts. Prayers ask for a wide variety of things, but they also often turn to him in order to share their joy with the Lord.
Iconoclasm
The icon of the Savior Almighty shows the age of Christ, which corresponds to the time when He began to preach. He is depicted with straight, shoulder-length hair and a small beard and mustache on his fair face.
According to the canon, the Savior wore a red tunic and a blue himation on top of it. Blue is a symbol of heaven, red is martyrdom and the color of blood. The vestments of Christ are interpreted as the solitude of the heavenly, earthly and spiritual. In the history of Christianity, icons became a point of contention between supporters of icon veneration, who pointed to the human and divine nature of Jesus, and heretics, who denied all this.
From the 4th to the 6th centuries there was an iconoclastic struggle, when thousands of icons, mosaics and frescoes were destroyed because they became a stronghold of faith for many people, and supporters of icon painting were severely punished. Only in 842 at the Council of Constantinople did adherents of orthodox views achieve victory, and the iconoclasts were anathematized. The icon of the Savior Pantocrator eventually became a symbol of victory over heresy.
