Monreale Cathedral:
"Christ Pantocrator"

“Christ Pantocrator”. The mosaic, made between 1180 and 1190, depicts Christ in the act of blessing with three fingers of his right hand, according to the Byzantine tradition. Christ Pantocrator is an image of God in glory as the Origin, Lord and final Judge of all created things. The arrangement of the fingers of his right hand tends to form an “X” with index and middle fingers and a sort of “C” with his thumb, ring finger and little finger, representing the first and final letters of the name “Christ” in ancient Greek (Χριστός). In his other hand he holds a book, the Gospel, showing the words “I am the light of the world.” In the lower part, the mosaic represents the Virgin enthroned and flanked by two archangels and a theory of saints.