Christ Pantocrator (Icon Type)

The most important and widespread icon of Christ: depicted as ruler and judge of all (Pantocrator = 'Almighty'). Christ is shown frontally, holding the Gospel in His left hand and blessing with His right. His face is deliberately asymmetric: one side merciful, the other judging. Usually placed in the central dome of the church and on the iconostasis. The Sinai Pantocrator (6th c.) is the oldest known example.