Icon of Christ - Deesis
The Icon
Monumental North-Russian icon dating about 1700 AD. The picture which
is called Deesis (asking, praying), is of a Byzantine origin. Around the turn of the
century this representation became a definate component of the Last Judgement, and the
Deesis also is the principal item of the Iconostasis.
This subject was adopted by Russia as early as the 11th century. In the
middle of the icon the blessing Christ, the Virgin and John the Baptist bow in
supplication towards Christ. In the Deesis Mary symbolises the Church and the New
Testament. John the Baptist symbolises the Synagogue and the Old Testament. This
subject is also know as "Intercession" or "Trimophorion".
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