Christ Pantocrator

I've been reading a bit of Rita Nakasima Brock's and Rebecca Ann Parker's Saving Paradise. (Check out their website for great images from their exploration of early Christian images.) Even just the prologue is a good read. The question is why it is that the crucifixion, the dominant image of the Church today, was not depicted in the first 5 centuries of Christendom, or widely used in churches or devotional practice for 1,000 years? That is a great question. Their argument is that the dominant image is that of paradise.

With this in mind, I would like to share a few images with you all. The first is an image of Christ Pantocrator from one of the churches in Ravenna, Italy. Someday I'll go there and do my own research. For now, I'll rely upon the pictures of others.

The second image is from St. Giovanni's Cathedral in Laterano. This image does depict the cross, but not a dead Jesus upon it. Instead the cross becomes the Tree of Life found at the end of Revelation. The Spirit is baptizing the cross and the water of the Spirit is channeled in four flowing streams from the cross; the water of life from which the whole world can now drink. This is really a stunning image, incorporating a very complex theological vision of salvation and redemption. Beautiful. Check out the Saving Paradise webpage for the entire mosaic and more description regarding the image. It is interesting that hovering over this portrayal of the cross is Christ Pantocrator, ruler over all things.

I am still wondering what these early Christian images have to tell us about the tradition of our faith and about who we are as Christians today.

Peace,
Chelle