| SECTION
1
The Nave (Sanctuary)
part 1
The Iconostasion
part 2
The Platytera
part 3
The Pantocrator
SECTION 2
The Side Panels
part 1
The Baptism
part 2
The Transfiguration
part 3
The Crucifixion
part 4
The Resurrection
part 5
The Ascention
part 6
Pentecost
SECTION 3
The Narthex
part 1
The Sermon on the Mount
part 2
St. Catherine of Alexandria
part 3
St. Peter of Argos
part 4
SECTION 4
Virtual Reality Tour of the Cathedral |
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Dominating all is the dome which is completely covered by the mosaic
of The Pantocrator, the enthroned Christ .
It is 58 feet in diameter. The
magnificent, full length portrait in mosaic of the enthroned Christ as Ruler of All looks
down majestically at the worshiper from the domed ceiling of the nave. This Divine King is
without the almost forbidding severity of the famous Pantocrator at Daphni. The expression
can be described as one of mystical majesty, and the simple background against which
Christ sits on His Throne suits the strong beauty of the lines and curves in the
architectural design. In the sixth-century, portraits of Christ enthroned decorated
the apse of several Byzantine churches in Italy, heralding the Pantocrator which later
dominated so many of the churches of Eastern Orthodoxy from the summit of the central
dome. Most frequently the icon portrays a bust of Christ the Almighty, but the
ninth-century dome mosaic of Hagia Sophia in Thessalonica shows the figure of Christ
seated on a rainbow and backed by a luminous circle. However, although Tonelli undoubtedly
found his inspiration in Byzantine examples and followed tradition in facial features,
style of hair, dress and colors, the Pantocrator of Atlanta's Annunciation is uniquely his
own work. The power and the glory of the Ruler of All are evident in the enthroned Christ,
which is certainly among the largest in size of all.
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