Orthodox Icon of Almighty God
$850
27×31 cm (approx. 10.6 x 12.2 inches)
The icon of the Lord Almighty is a hand-painted image of Jesus Christ, created in the traditions of the Mstyora icon-painting school. It is painted with mineral tempera on a solid linden wood board with oak splines. The halo and background are covered with genuine 23-karat (960 standard) gold leaf. Executed in the academic style of painting, it features a highly detailed rendering of the face and the folds of the vestments. Available to order in sizes starting from 27×31 cm, including custom iconostasis formats.
Please note: The price and production time are negotiable and calculated individually based on the complexity of the composition and the current workload of our leading masters.
It is possible to paint an image in any size to order
Free shipping worldwide
The Savior Almighty (or Pantocrator) is the central and most majestic image in the Orthodox iconography of Jesus Christ. On this icon, the Savior appears as the Heavenly King and Judge, holding the Gospel in His left hand while blessing the entire world created by Him with His right hand. This hand-painted icon is executed in the academic style of painting, which is distinguished by its picturesque realism, voluminous chiaroscuro, and deep emotional expressiveness of Christ’s face.
In the “Mstyora Icons” workshop, this image is created by hand, adhering to centuries-old canons of church art and using natural materials, which guarantees the longevity and grace-filled strength of the shrine.
Theological Meaning and Iconography of the Image
The word “Almighty” translates from Greek as “Pantocrator”—the One who possesses all authority over heaven and earth. The iconography of this image was formed in Byzantium during the 4th–6th centuries and is designed to show simultaneously two natures of Christ: the Divine and the human.
On the presented icon, the Savior is clad in traditional garments:
- The Chiton (inner garment) is painted in red, symbolizing His human nature, as well as the martyr’s blood shed for the sins of the world. On the right shoulder, a clavus is visible—a golden stripe signifying royal dignity.
- The Himation (outer cloak) is executed in blue, symbolizing the incomprehensible mystery of the Godhead and heavenly purity.
- The Cruciform Halo around the head of Jesus points to the sacrificial death on the cross. Inside the halo are inscribed Greek letters (Omega, Omicron, Nu), forming the word “The Existing One” (I AM)—the name of God revealed to Moses. On the sides of the face, the monograms ІС ХС are traditionally located.
Creation Technology: The Mstyora School and Academic Painting
The presented icon of the Savior Almighty is created in strict accordance with the technologies of Mstyora icon painting, which is famous for its finest miniature detailing and the use of high-quality, natural materials.
Board Preparation and Levkas
The base for the icon is a sturdy board made of solid linden wood—a timber that does not warp over time. On the reverse side, inset oak splines (counter-facing or end-facing depending on the size) are inserted to protect the board from deformation. The front side is sized with pavoloka (linen cloth) and covered with levkas—a special primer made of chalk and animal glue. Levkas is applied in 10–15 layers and polished to a mirror-like smoothness.
Gilding and Paints
To create the radiant background and halo, masters use genuine 23-karat (960 standard) gold leaf. The face and garments of Christ are painted with mineral tempera—paints mixed manually from an egg yolk emulsion and ground natural minerals. The academic (picturesque) painting used in this work requires the highest craftsmanship: the face of the Savior is painted using complex glazes (plavi), making His gaze deep, alive, and penetrating into the very soul of the worshiper.
What the Icon of the Savior Almighty Helps With
The image of the Lord Almighty is the principal icon in the home iconostasis of any Orthodox Christian. Believers turn to this icon in all life needs, joys, and sorrows.
- Protection of the family: The icon guards the home against misfortunes, envy, and destruction.
- Comfort in sickness: Before the image, prayers are offered for spiritual and bodily healing.
- Decision-making: Christ is asked to grant wisdom, patience, and guidance on the true path.
- Holy Matrimony (Wedding): This icon traditionally forms a part of the Wedding Pair (together with the icon of the Mother of God) and is passed down from generation to generation as a family heirloom.
Sizes and Custom Finishes
In our workshop, you can order the icon of the Savior Almighty in various sizes. The basic analoy (lectern) size is 27×31 cm, which is ideally suited for the central place in a home’s “beautiful corner” or as a significant gift for a wedding or anniversary. It is also possible to paint the icon in larger, iconostasis sizes for churches or spacious home chapels.
Each hand-painted icon is a unique work of church art. Upon request, the image can be additionally decorated with relief chasing (engraving) on gold, cold or hot enamel, and framed in a wooden kiot (icon case) with glass to protect it from dust and humidity changes.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Iconographic Type | Savior Almighty (Pantocrator) |
| Painting Style | Academic (picturesque realism) |
| Base (Board) | Solid linden wood, inset oak splines, linen pavoloka, chalk levkas |
| Paints | Natural mineral egg tempera |
| Gilding | Genuine 23-karat (960 standard) gold leaf |
| Sizes | 27×31 cm, 30×40 cm, and custom iconostasis formats to order |
| Finishing Options | Optional choices: manual chasing, enamels, protective wooden kiot |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What does the title of the Savior Almighty icon mean?
“Almighty” (or in Greek, Pantocrator) signifies the omnipotence of Jesus Christ, His authority over the entire created world, life, and death. This is the principal image of the Savior, showing Him as King and Judge.
2. How does academic painting differ from canonical painting?
Academic (or picturesque) painting is characterized by a voluminous rendering of figures, realistic chiaroscuro, and a portrait-like detailing of the face. Canonical painting is more conventional, highly symbolic, and is executed with flat glaze layers (plavi) without an emphasized linear perspective.
3. What paints do you use for painting the icon?
We use natural mineral tempera. This is a traditional icon-painting paint that is created manually from semi-precious minerals ground into powder and mixed with an emulsion of egg yolk and white wine.
4. Will the gold leaf on the icon tarnish over time?
No, we use only genuine 23-karat (960 standard) gold leaf. Unlike potal (imitation gold leaf), real gold does not oxidize, does not tarnish, and retains its pristine brilliance for centuries.
5. Is it possible to order an icon of a custom size?
Yes, in addition to standard sizes (such as 27×31 cm), we paint icons according to the customer’s individual measurements, including large-scale church and iconostasis images of any complexity.
6. What do the letters inside the cross on Christ’s halo mean?
The three Greek letters (Omega, Omicron, Nu) inside the cruciform halo translate as “The Existing One” (I AM). This is the name of God that He revealed to the Prophet Moses at the Burning Bush, signifying the eternal existence of the Creator.
7. How do I properly care for a hand-painted icon?
The icon should be protected from direct sunlight, sharp temperature drops, and humidity changes. It is recommended to gently dust it with a dry, soft brush or a velvet cloth. Using wet wipes or chemical cleaning agents is strictly prohibited.
8. Can I give this icon as a wedding gift?
Yes, the image of the Savior Almighty is an indispensable part of the Wedding Pair. It is exactly with this icon that the priest blesses the groom during the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
9. Is a certificate of authenticity provided?
Yes, a numbered certificate with a wax seal is attached to every hand-painted icon from our workshop, confirming the manual work, materials used, and the standard of the gold leaf.
10. Is the icon blessed when shipped?
Upon the customer’s request, we can arrange for the icon to be blessed in an Orthodox church before shipping. However, many believers prefer to have the image blessed personally at their own parish church after receiving it.
| Name | Jesus |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 27x31cm (10.6×12.2 in) |
