Christ Pantokrator
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Pantocrator or Pantokrator (Greek "Παντοκρατορ") literally means "Lord (or master) of Everything (the universe)". It is one of the names given to Christ by Greek Orthodox Christians, deriving from the Greek word pantokratoros.
At the Council of Nicaea, the divinity of Christ was officially defined as Pantokrator, the master of everything. The word is usually translated as "almighty" in English but has a subtler meaning, indicating an active creator who remains fully engaged in the world. It identifies Christ as the Logos, "without whom was not anything made that was made," and with the Alpha and the Omega, "who was, and is, and is to come."
The ikon of Christ Pantokrator is one of the most widely used religious images of Orthodox Christianity. Generally speaking, in Byzantine church art and architecture, an ikon of Christ Pantokrator occupies the space in the central dome of the church, or simply on the ceiling, over the nave.
The ikon may be shown full length, or half length, and depicts Christ, usually fully frontal with a somewhat stern aspect, with one hand raised in blessing and the other holding a book, open or closed, representing the Gospels. He is often shown accompanied by his disciples and other major saints. The ikon is usually shown against a blue or gold background, symbolising divinity, and Christ's head is surrounded by a halo. On each side of the halo are Greek letters: IC and XC. Christ's fingers are depicted in a pose that represents the letters IC, X and C, thereby making the Christogram ICXC (for "Jesus Christ").
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