www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Stigmata

I am a latin rite Catholic. While attending Divine Liturgy last Sunday with my daughter (who is turning 4), she asked a question that I couldn't answer.

In the dome of the temple the icon of Christ (is this called the Pantokrator?) Christ is depicted without the stigmata on his hands(which she calls ouchies).
She knows of these because we often talk about the crucifix at Mass on Sunday morning and why Jesus had a crown of thorns that hurt him and why he was on the cross and why there were nails in his hands and feet.

Why don't the icons of Christ show the stigmata?

Dear Danman,

So good to see you on here! - how have you been? How's the "other forum" going? I hope all is well with you!


Regarding the Icon, my assumption is that the Icon's purpose is to reveal Christ as Pantokrator - literally All-Powerful. The stigmata more reveals Christ's humanity and suffering.

Hi Michael,

Good to see you too. Actually, I have been a member here for a while, but I just don't post that much.

Thanks for the reply.

Things are about the same over on the other place. It's the "usual suspects" arguing about the same things. I post there far more infrequently than I used to. It is a combination of not having the time as well as losing interest in the same subjects constantly being re-hashed.