26 Christ Pantocrator

This icon is called Christ Pantokrator. Pantokrator is Greek for ruler of the universe. The Pantocrator is often painted at the highest point of a dome (which symbolizes the heavens) or in the apse of a church (behind the altar), overseeing the liturgy.
In this icon Christ is depicted holding the Gospels in his left hand while giving a blessing with his right hand. The fingers of his right hand form the letters IC and XC, the Greek letters which are a monogram for Jesus Christ. The monogram IC and XC can be seen at the top of the icon, IC on the left and XC on the right in red. There is a red cross depicted in the halo behind Christ’s head with three Greek letters, omnicron, omega, and nu. These three letters represent the holy name of God revealed to Moses, “I Am Who I Am” or “He That Is”.
If you look closely at the vestment that Christ is wearing it appears to be decorated with peacock feathers. In the ancient world the peacock was a symbol of immortality and eternal life.