Christ stands in front of an apse, beyond which the distant sky appears; the color of the sky transitions from darker to lighter hues of blue. The face is a marvelous specimen of the encaustic technique, and it manifests a variety of expressive emotions, such as a sense of timelessness, as well as compassion.
This particular iconography type, named the “Pantokrator”, was also used on sixth and seventh century imperial coins. The icon may well be a gift by emperor Justinian or his court to the monastery. GG
