The Glory in Christ, Our King

Title: "The Glory in Christ, Our King" 1995
Media: Oil and 23kt embossed gold on canvas.
Size: 24" x 36" (60cm x 90cm)
Iconographer: Paul Boyce
Larger image
Face detail
Bible passage detail

This large icon is a stunning depiction of one the most important and awe inspiring icons in the Orthodox Church.

In the face we can find Christ’s godlike nature. In this sense, this icon is fundamentally an icon of the Almighty and Transcendent God.

Christ is portrayed full-faced to emphasize His presence to us. He is never far or distant. In His face we see the love of God. He has compassion for all the sorrows of the fallen world.

In the icon, Christ is portrayed with abundant Divine Grace, blessing us with the right hand and holding the Bible in the left. This is The Book by which our words and deeds in this life are judged. Christ is at once the "Righteous Judge" and the "Lover of Mankind".

In the depicted Bible passage (John 8:12), Christ is saying to us:

With His infinite generosity, He is offering us all the gift of salvation, the gift of eternal life.

Christ is at once human and God, compassionate and sweet, accessible through our meditation and prayer.

The large dilated eyes look directly at the viewer with an attentive look, penetrating the very depths of our consciousness. He offers strength and courage. He offers comfort and joy. Christ's mouth is small, symbolizing lack of anything carnal, full of everything spiritual. Christ's ears are large, symbolizing that He can hear our plea for the forgiveness of sin and redemption from pain and suffering.

Photios Kontoglou, the eminent iconographer, says about Christ the Pantocrator (Ruler of All):

"He is covered by a broad garment from which His hands emerge, the right one making the sign of benediction and the left holding against His chest the Book of Gospels, the Divine Law. His head is crowned with thick hair, which falls over His left shoulder like a stream, divided into two. His forehead is majestic, full of wisdom and power. His eyes are almond shaped and quiet. They look with benevolence and condescension at the humble, but with austereness at the wicked and proud"(1).

The halo surrounding the head bears a cross containing the letters I AM, expressing the name of God, "I AM" (Exodus 3:14).

(1) Cavarnos, Constantine, Byzantine Sacred Art, 2nd edition, Belmont, Massachusetts, 1985, p. 114.

Additional Information

This icon was painted over a period of 9 months. It was completed on December 23, 1995. The intricate 23 kt gold background work, embossed with a Byzantine cross pattern, is a technique created by the artist and is believed unique for stretched canvas. Also designed by the artist for his icons is a beautiful and inspiring typeface called Narthex. This typeface was used in the depicted Bible passage.