www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Question about the Pantocrator icon

I'm curious to know why, in the Icon most commonly referred to as Christ Pantocrator, one eye appears larger than the other?

From the little I've learned so far about icons, I know it must mean something!

Hi Theist Gal

Which one are you talking about as there are several variations depending on which time period and which country the ikon was written in....

mark

The variation where one eye is bigger than the other.

That's okay, I went on the Net and found what seems like a reasonable answer: http://www.soulfoodministry.org/docs/English/Devotion2000/OneDayAug7.htm

Hi Theist Gal

You must talking about the "Sinai Pantocrator" that was found in St. Catherine's Monastery.

Some say that the eyes are written so that we see Him as both Judge and Savior.

We also have to remember that there was extensive restoration and conservation work done to this ikon, as it dates from them 7th century. It very may well have been damaged during the restoration process. So we must take the various
"explainations" with a grain of salt...

mark

Well, here are some that look like the ones I saw. See what you think.

[Linked Image] [Linked Image]

Theist Gal

Father Bertha on EWTN said that the one eye looks straight at you as your judge and the other eye looks off into the distance as to sort of let you off the hook.

This is my favorite Icon of the Lord, He seems to look into my soul.

james

Hi,

My favorite part of the Church is the Pantocrator found in the domes of any Church. Of course, the more beautiful it is, the more wonderful it is for me to see it. Of course the gold background pleases my eyes more than the blue ones or any other color.

I feel extremely humbled looking at it and at the same time I feel the greatest joy in my heart knowing that He's up there looking down to make sure we're okay. I find consolation looking at it and at the same time I experience the GREATNESS of Christ God. WOW.

SPDundas
Deaf Byzantine

[Linked Image]

"The image entitled "Christ in Majesty," is the one of the largest mosaics of Our Savior in the world. Its designer, Mr. John de Rosen, modeled it in the Eastern Christian tradition of the "Pantocrator," meaning the Ruler of All or Celestial Emperor. Mr. de Rosen sought to create an image wholly in keeping with the Byzantine architecture of the Basilica, while attempting to provide a distinctly post-Renaissance character more familiar to the Western Church. Although Eastern-style art, which often portrays figures with stoic expressions, is an uncommon part of our American culture, it has a long and revered tradition in the Catholic Church.

"Christ in Majesty" also has an apocalyptic nature, based principally on the Book of Revelation (4:2-3). Another helpful verse is from the Book of Daniel (7:14): "To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed."

Jesus' flaming halo remind us of the Prophet Isaiah's words that "the Lord will come in fire" (66:15). He is seated as in judgment on a rainbow of hope. Below him are clouds to symbolize his providence and grace, and water, which represent purification and salvation. His red mantle recalls his divinity, which became incarnate in our Blessed Mother's womb.

Jesus' strong youthful face and expression is consonant with the earliest images of Him in the Roman catacombs. His gaze is solemn but not without compassion, and his outstretched arms and exposed right breast are intended to focus the viewer on the wounds of his crucifixion – the price he paid for love of us. The image conveys the truth of our Savior's merciful love, as well as the fact that he is the just judge. Its scriptural imagery and the link it provides with time-honored art of our Christian tradition add to its distinction as one of the most renowned pieces of art in American Catholicism.

The Mosaic of Christ in Majesty is a gift of an anonymous donor."


From the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC

The most amazing thing about this icon is the strict delineation between left and right. It is almost two separate icons merged into one. Cover up the left side of Christ (the right side of the icon) and you see a hand raised in blessing, and a gentle compassionate face. Cover up the right side of Christ (the left side of the icon) and you are presented with a soul-penetrating stern look - the eye is much more severe, the mustache droops lower, the entire face is in shadow. To my mind, this icon is the absolute epitomy of representing God's mercy and justice simultaneously.

-- Ed

To call this an icon is to misuse and abuse the term. It does not comport with the iconographic canons. The humanity of Christ overpowers His diviity. The monochromatic robe fails to express the two natures of Christ. The right hand is not raised in blessing but rather uplifted along with the left in a gesture that is not comprehendible.
The face is the artist's renditon of humanity without the otherworldliness of iconography.

The mosaic, rather than being a spiritual presence, is a distraction to the viewer who is drawn to the artist's work rather than the subject. The canons exits so that just as the church insures the authenticity of the revelation wrttten in ink (the Holy Scriptures) it can likewise insure the authenticity of the revelation written in paint.

During the self imposed latinization of the Byzantine Catholic Church in America, the canons were often ignored and "icons" installed in our churches that resemble 1950s RC holy cards. St. Mary in Jessop, PA is an example.

Many RC parishes are turning to icons for their churches, that is good. If however they install noncanonical art with a religious theme that is not good. It keeps from the people the spirituality and the sacrament of the icon.

PS Whats with the blond hair?

Joseph,

The canons for icons are for Byzantines, the other Eastern Churches and the Roman CHurch are not bound by them, nor should their Holy Images be judged by them. One can prefer our style of iconography but I think it Byzantine chauvinism to say everyone must follow our rules if they want to call an image an icon. The ancient catacombs are filled with images that do not comport to the canons, nor does the iconography of many of the other Eastern Churches. Now I would not want the above image in a Byzantine Church, because it does not follow the canons, but having seen it in person at the Basilica it fits well within the style and architecture and it is, at least for me, a spiritual aid and not a distraction.

In Christ,
Subdeacon Lance

Joseph wrote:"...Whats with the blond hair..."

Actually, St.John the Baptist in Uniontown used to have an ikon of Christ that had blond hair. It was like from the time it was put up in the church until they did "renovations" to the church a few years ago and someone repainted it...

Talk about a crime...

I cried when I saw what they did to that gorgeous church...

mark

What is your opinion of this icon?
http://www.pskov.ru/culture/arts/Church/pics/zinon/images/big/0114.jpg

Another, more complete, view:
http://www.pskov.ru/culture/arts/Church/pics/zinon/images/big/0115.jpg

It was done by Archimandrite Zinon, considered by some to be THE best modern Russian iconographer.

Where is that? I know of Holy Ghost in Jessup, PA...

Dave

James, I like it too! Doesn't it also look like He's not quite, but almost, getting ready to smile at you?