Deësis Mosaic with Christ the Pantocrator in Hagia Sophia
The Deësis mosaic featuring Christ the Pantocrator (all-powerful ruler of the universe) is found in Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey. Hagia Sophia is a major cultural and historical site and was originally the principal church of the Byzantine Empire nearly 1,500 years ago. The Hagia Sophia Deësis is monumental in size and depicts Christ flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist approximately two and a half times larger than life. Christ is at the center and is labeled "IC XC", the Greek abbreviation for "Jesus Christ". The Virgin Mary is viewed as a powerful protector and appears at Christ's right hand, labeled "MP ΘY, meaning “Mother of God.” John the Baptist appears on Christ’s left with the label “Saint John the Forerunner.” In the mosaic, the Virgin and John turn inward toward Christ in a three‐quarter view and would have originally extended their hands toward Christ in a pleading gesture. This type of image is referred to as a deësis (δέησις), which means “entreaty,” suggesting an act of asking, pleading, begging. Scholars have debated possible meanings of the Deësis, sometimes understanding the Virgin and John as witnesses to Christ’s divinity and at other times emphasizing their role as intercessors on behalf of humankind, asking God to have mercy on all humanity. The artwork here at Sacred Heart is a cropped version of the Hagia Sophia Deësis, showing only Christ the Pantocrator.
