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. In the Sinai icon His face is asymmetric, often read as 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.