Just as the iconography of Jesus Christ occupies the central part of the entire ancient Orthodox iconography, the Almighty Savior (the icon photo is presented below) is an image that occupies the main place among all the many types of images of the Lord. The dogmatic significance of this icon is very great: Christ is the King of Heaven and Judge, "Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Lord who is and was and is to come, the Almighty." Almost every Orthodox church in the central part of the dome has this image, which can be found in conjunction with traditional Russian Orthodox iconostases or in the form of a single icon.
Description of the Savior Almighty icon
The Savior Christ on the icon can be depicted in different positions: sitting, waist-deep, chest or chest, 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 - “power”, that is, Almighty and Almighty. According to the literary translation - “He can create everything”, He is “Ruler of the world” and “Ruler of everything”.
The term "Almighty" is found repeatedly in the Old Testament, the ancient Jews called their God "living", which they worshiped, then they began to turn to Jesus Christ.
Ancient icon
The appearance of the image of Christ Pantocrator in Byzantium dates from the 4th-6th centuries. The oldest of the iconographic images is an icon called Christ Pantocrator from the Sinai Monastery (VI century).
The Almighty Savior’s icon “Savior on the Throne” is one of the most ancient schemes, where Christ is depicted frontally, sitting on the throne with a pillow, in traditional clothes and with a foot in the legs.
The early and first images of the Savior on the throne can be seen in Roman catacombs (III-IV centuries). But iconography will finally take shape in the post-anti-war period (X century).
The throne has the meaning of an attribute of royal dignity. God was seated on the throne of the Old Testament prophets. That is how the Lord will appear on earth, on the Day of Universal Resurrection, in order to fulfill His Last Judgment on all people, living and dead.
The Icon of the Savior of the Almighty "Manuel Savior" according to legend belongs to the brush of the Emperor of Byzantium Manuel I, and it is distinguished by a special gesture of the right hand, indicating the text of the Gospel.
There are several more interpretations of the image of Christ: “The Savior is in power”, in the traditional Russian iconostasis, as well as the icon of Christ sitting on the throne surrounded by the Heavenly Host, Psychososter (Savior), Eleemon (Merciful).
Iconoclasm
The Almighty Savior icon shows the age of Christ, which corresponds to the time when He began to preach. He is depicted with straight hair descending to his shoulders, on a light face a small beard and mustache.
According to the canon, the Savior wore a red tunic, and on top of it a blue hematium. 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 heavenly, earthly, and spiritual. In the history of Christianity, icons have become a stumbling block between proponents of icon veneration, which pointed to the human and divine nature of Jesus, and heretics who denied all this.
From the 4th to the 6th centuries, an iconoclastic struggle took place, when thousands of icons of mosaics and frescoes of millet were destroyed, because for many people they became a stronghold of faith, and those who advocated icon painting were punished with cruelty. Only in 842, at the Council of Constantinople, adherents of orthodox views nevertheless achieved victory, and the iconoclasts were anathematized. The icon of the Savior Almighty Pantocrator eventually became a symbol of victory over heresy.
Savior Almighty: icon, meaning
Before the image of this icon, prayers are offered by people who want to thank the Great Lord for their help and support, or to receive a blessing for their intended work. Prayer to the icon of the Savior Almighty will help to obtain comfort and strength. She is also prayed to receive healing from physical and spiritual injuries and deliverance from sinful thoughts. You can offer your prayers not only for yourself, but also for your family and close friends.
The icon must be addressed not only in moments of difficulty and despair, but also in order to share your joys. At the same time, prayer should sound sincere, with pure thoughts and an open heart.
Help
The icon "Lord Almighty" can be presented as a component of a wedding couple for newlyweds or to give it to a dear person. Since this icon has a very strong energy, it can guide the true path of soul salvation, if, of course, a person repents, and give miraculous healing to a sincere believer. Before asking for mercy from God, one must read the prayer “Our Father”.
The Icon of the Savior the Almighty can help us answer the question by saying that Jesus Christ is the chief physician of our souls and bodies, who knows everything and that our prayer should be sent to Him in the first place. According to church rules, the icon of the Savior is placed at the head of the entire iconostasis.
A lot of different miracles and healings are described near this icon. However, there are those who consider the icons to be superstitions and deceit, but experience shows the exact opposite, a truly believing person will not start his day without prayer, as they say to God even beyond the blue sea, but without God it is not up to the threshold.
Attitude to Icons
Anyway, any Orthodox icon is not a picture at all, where you can admire the plot composition or the game of colors and admire the talents of the artist who created it.
The icon, first of all, is rigor and tenderness. In contrast to any picture, it makes you think about eternal values and state of mind, bringing us closer to God.
When we look at the icon and pray, it fills us with that all-embracing grace, which envelops us invisibly, calls for salvation, awakens our conscience in us, and thereby raises the 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 worship them as a shrine. Believers are well aware of what icons are, and through them they offer honor and praise to the prototype of the Lord Almighty.
All earthly people are united by desires to live without problems, to have health and well-being. And this is all based on faith, hope and love, which are inalienable Christian virtues.
Life will necessarily change for the better if you start to pray intensely and thank the Lord for everything - and for all the good and the bad that is happening in our lives. God help everyone!