Orthodox icons: the icon of the Almighty Savior

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Just as the iconography of Jesus Christ occupies the central part of all ancient Orthodox iconography, so the Almighty Savior (the icon of the photo is presented below) is an image that occupies the main place among all the numerous types of images of the Lord. The dogmatic meaning of this icon is very great: Christ is the King of Heaven and the Judge, "Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Lord who is, and was and is to come, the Almighty." In almost every Orthodox church in the central part of the dome there is this image, which can be found in a set with traditional Russian Orthodox iconostases or in the form of a single icon.

Description of the icon of the Almighty Savior

The Savior Christ on the icon can be depicted in different positions: sitting, waist-deep, full-length or chest-high, in his left hand with a scroll or the Gospel, and his right hand is in a blessing gesture.

The epithet "Almighty" expresses the dogma of the Incarnation, which symbolizes the Divine and human nature of the Savior. It is also called in Greek "Pantocrator", where the first part of the word means "everything", and the second - "strength", that is, the Omnipotent and Almighty. Literarytranslation - “It is possible for Him to create everything”, He is the “Ruler of the World” and “The Ruler of Everything”.

The term "Almighty" is found repeatedly in the Old Testament, the ancient Jews called their God "the living" that they worshiped, then they began to refer to Jesus Christ in this way.

Ancient icon

The appearance of the image of Christ Pantocrator in Byzantium dates back to the 4th-6th centuries. The oldest of the icon-paintings is an icon called Christ Pantocrator from the Sinai Monastery (VI century).

The Icon of the Savior Almighty "The Savior on the Throne" is one of the most ancient schemes, where Christ is depicted frontally, sitting on a throne with a pillow, in traditional clothes and with a footstool.

Early and first images of the Savior on the throne can be seen in the Roman catacombs (III-IV centuries). But the iconography will already take shape in the post-iconoclastic period (X century).

The throne has the meaning of an attribute of royal dignity. God appeared to the Old Testament prophets seated on the throne. This is how the Lord will appear on earth, on the Day of General Resurrection, in order to carry out His Last Judgment on all people, living and dead.

The icon of the Savior Almighty "Manuel the Savior", according to legend, belongs to the brush of Emperor Manuel I of Byzantium, and it is distinguished by a special gesture of the right hand, pointing to the text of the Gospel.

There are several more interpretations of the image of Christ: "The Savior is in strength", in the traditional Russian iconostasis, as well as the icon of Christ sitting on a throne surrounded by the Heavenly Host, Psychososter(Soul Savior), Elemon (Merciful).

Iconoclasm

The icon of the Almighty Savior 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 over it a blue himation. Blue - as a symbol of the heavenly beginning, red - martyrdom and the color of blood. The robes of Christ are interpreted as the solitude of the heavenly, earthly and spiritual. In the history of Christianity, icons have become a stumbling block 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 of mosaics and frescoes of millet were destroyed, because they became a stronghold of faith for many people, while supporters of cruel iconography were punished. Only by 842, at the Council of Constantinople, adherents of orthodox views nevertheless achieved victory, and the iconoclasts were anathematized. The icon of the Savior the Almighty Pantocrator eventually became a symbol of victory over heresy.

Savior Almighty: icon, meaning

People who want to thank the Great Lord for help and support or receive a blessing for the planned things pray before the image of this icon. Prayer to the icon of the Almighty Savior will help you receive comfort and strength. She is also prayed to receive healing from physical and spiritual injuries anddeliverance from sinful thoughts. You can offer your prayers not only for yourself, but also for your family and close friends.

One should turn to the icon not only in moments of difficulties and despair, but also in order to share one's joys. At the same time, the prayer should sound sincere, with pure thoughts and an open heart.

Help

The icon "The Lord Almighty" can be presented as a gift as a wedding couple for newlyweds or give it to a dear person. Since this icon has a very strong energy, it can guide the true path of soul salvation, unless, of course, a person repents, and give miraculous healing to a sincere believer. Before asking for mercy from God, you need to read the prayer "Our Father".

To the question of the Icon of the Almighty Savior, what helps, we can answer by saying that Jesus Christ is the chief physician of our souls and bodies, who knows everything and our prayer should be directed to Him in the very first place. The icon of the Savior, according to church rules, is placed at the head of the entire iconostasis.

A lot of different kinds of miracles and healings are described near this icon. However, there are those who consider icons to be superstition and deceit, but experience shows quite the opposite, a truly believing person will not start his day without prayer, as they say with God even beyond the blue sea, but without God it’s not up to the threshold.

Attitude towards icons

And in general, any Orthodox icon is not a picture at all where you can admire the plot compositionor the play of colors and admire the talents of the artist who created it.

The icon, first of all, is strictness and tenderness. In contrast to any picture, it makes us think about eternal values and the state of the soul, bringing us closer to God.

When we look at the icon and pray, it fills us with that all-encompassing grace that envelops us in an invisible way, calls us to salvation, awakens our conscience in us, and thereby opens up prayer.

Veneration of shrines

And if Orthodox Christians are accused of worshiping icons as idols, then this is a false statement. They do not worship them, but revere them as a shrine. Believers understand perfectly well what icons are, and through them they offer honor and praise to the prototype of the Lord Almighty.

All earthly people are united by the desire to live without problems, to have he alth and well-being. And this is all based on faith, hope and love, which are essential Christian virtues.

Life will definitely change for the better if you start praying hard and thanking the Lord for everything - both for everything good and for the bad that happens in our lives. God help everyone!