One of the most common types of images of Christ is “The Savior Enthroned.” This icon is a variation of the Deesis, which depicts the Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, the archangels, and saints standing before the Lord in prayer.

In the center of the image, there is the Savior seated on an ornate throne with a high back. The throne symbolizes the entire universe, both visible and invisible, and at the same time — the Savior’s royal glory. Christ is flanked by the Virgin Mary wearing a dark blue chiton and a cherry maphorion and John the Baptist wearing a terracotta-colored haircloth with dark brown strands and a dark blue himation. Each of them holds an open scroll.

Behind them, on both sides of the throne, are the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. At the very top, there are St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the apostles Peter and Paul, and St. Basil. At the foot of the throne are the venerable saints Anthony and Theodosius, as well as Zosimas and Savvatiy of Solovki. The icon is painted in shades of gold, brown, red, and dark blue. The Book of the Gospels in the Savior’s hands is decorated with a bright red edge.

Icons featuring the Savior enthroned were common in ancient Russian art. They can be traced back to the iconographic type of Christ Pantocrator (Lord the Almighty). In these icons, intercessors pray to Jesus on behalf of humanity. These include the Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, apostles, saints, venerable saints, and martyrs. In the left hand, Christ Pantocrator almost always holds the Book of the Gospels or a scroll.

In Byzantium, the iconographic type of Christ Pantocrator emerged in the 4th–6th centuries. The earliest known example is the icon “Christ Pantocrator” in Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai which dates back to the mid-6th century. Images of the Savior enthroned were found even in the Catacombs of Rome, but the iconography had finally formed by the 10th century.

A variation of the image of Christ Almighty is “Christ in Majesty.” This is the central icon in the traditional Russian iconostasis. Christ is portrayed full length, seated on a throne and surrounded by the Heavenly Powers. Other variations of this image include Psychosoter (Soul Savior) and Eleon (Showing Mercy).