Orthodox Icon of Christ, Psalm 27:1 Wall Art

The Pantocrator in watercolor

Christ faces the viewer squarely, shown from the chest up. He has long brown hair parted in the center, a trimmed beard and large, steady eyes. Behind his head is a gilded halo divided by a red cross, with small diamond marks in each arm. His tunic is a rich terracotta with a gold band at the shoulder, and a deep blue mantle wraps his left side.

His right hand is raised in blessing, fingers shaped in the traditional gesture. In his left he holds a closed Gospel book bound in red, its cover decorated with a gold cross. Unusually, the verse is placed beneath the figure rather than above: “The LORD is my light and my salvation”, then Psalm 27:1.

Psalm 27 and the icon of Christ

Psalm 27 is headed “A Psalm of David”, and its opening verse is two questions bound to two statements: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” David had real enemies and knew siege and exile. The psalm does not deny danger; it measures danger against God and finds it smaller.

Light was a rich image in Israel's worship: the lampstand in the sanctuary, the pillar of fire that guided the Exodus. In Jewish practice Psalm 27 is recited daily through the month of Elul and the autumn High Holy Days, a season of reflection and return. Christians hear its opening in harmony with John's Gospel, where Jesus calls himself the light of the world, which is why it pairs so naturally with his portrait.

The painting follows the type called Christ Pantocrator, “Ruler of All”. One of the earliest surviving examples, from the sixth century, is kept at Saint Catherine's Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai. In Greek tradition the blessing fingers spell out the initials of the name Jesus Christ, and the book is the Gospel he both teaches and embodies.

In an icon corner or a living room

Orthodox households keep a place for icons, often in an eastern corner, and Catholic families of both Latin and Eastern rites also hang images of the Pantocrator. This print suits either, and it makes a meaningful present for a baptism, a chrismation or a name day.

Its warm golds and blues hold their own in a study or living room too, and anyone who simply loves the verse can hang it as a daily reminder to face the morning without fear.