King of Kings - the icon-patron of dignitaries and stray souls

The King of Kings is an icon on which Jesus Christ is represented in the image of a saint who dominates over people of all ranks and estates. More often this epithet is found in the composition of the deisis composition, but sometimes it can be found as an independent image.

Canonical epithet

The icon depicts Jesus sitting on the throne. The Savior is clothed in royal clothes - dalmatian and lor, aged in red and gold. Dalmatik - a tunic with sleeves to the wrists, made of silk and decorated with noble metal with inserts of precious stones (clothes of Byzantine rulers).

This choice is not accidental: in similar clothes Christ was clothed in reproach. Laura - a long and wide ribbon, derived from the Greek toga, - the vesting of bishops and other dignitaries in Byzantium.

Icon of the Tsar as king: meaning and history

Described icon in the people has several names: "King of Glory", "The Savior of the Great Bishop" and "King of the Tsars" ("King of Kings"). The composition of the composition is based on the epithet from the revelations of John the Theologian (Rev. 19: 11-17), in which Jesus is described as a righteous judge and warrior, clothed in rich clothing, encrusted with the blood of infidels and his enemies. And the Savior's name is written on his thigh: "King of kings and Lord of lords."

This can also be considered a reference to biblical subjects, where it is said about the birth of Christ - the King of the Jewish people. However, when the expected custodian of the law of God came to earth, in him and the prophecies he was doubted, having executed in the most shameful way.

Thus, the King of Kings is an icon that reveals this idea of reign, for which, by the way, Jesus was executed on earth, after the ascension, he promised to come down to us again in all his Glory to act as a judge of the human.

Variations of the icon

According to legend, the most ancient icon based on this story was created in the VII century by Alipi Caves. It is believed that in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin is stored exactly his work - "The Queen appears," although evidence of this fact is not preserved.

"The Queen appears" - one of the iconographic types of deisis depicting Christ, in accordance with the epithet "King of Kings", surrounded by the Virgin in rich robes framed in gold, and John the Baptist. In simple terms, such a story illustrates Jesus and the Mother of God as rulers of the human and angelic lineage.

Iconography originated in Byzantium around the 14th century. The most ancient example (if you do not take into account the icon from the Assumption Cathedral) images of the epithet "King of Kings" - a painting from the monastery in Macedonia, made in the interval between 1334 and 1343 years.

When the iconography reached Russia, "The Queen appeared" was portrayed differently: John the Baptist was replaced by King David or another Old Testament prophet.

Deisis King of Kings

The icon "The Queen appears", which we mentioned earlier, as well as the King of Kings, refers to a type called "deisis", which translates as "prayer" or "petition." There is an erroneous pronunciation of "Deesis", apparently, in accordance with the name of the Savior. Such images are always placed in the center of the iconostasis, as the main ones.

The icon of the King of Kings (photo we bring to your attention in the article) can be written on three separate boards, instead of one. At the same time, which is especially interesting, one of the variations of the 15th century is in the Tretyakov Gallery as an example of the art of icon painting.

The image symbolizes the connection between the New and Old Testaments through our Savior - Jesus Christ.

Attributes of the icon

Christ within the framework of this epithet is always written in the frame of the mandorla (nimbus of a special form), clothed in royal apparel (on newer icons, lor is absent). His head is adorned with a tiara, and his left hand is clutching a scepter crowned with a cross. From the side of the shoulder, a sword is seen, pointing upward along the diagonal "out of the mouth" of the Savior.

Often, the attributes of the King of Glory are also used to depict Christ in mixed iconography relating to the motives of deism.

Who helps

The King of Kings Icon helps all believers, but especially the image is favorable to people occupying leadership positions. They can ask themselves wisdom to rightly manage personnel and smooth out the sharp corners in the work team. The icon is capable of granting success to a person occupying a high position, to give him the love of his subordinates.

In addition, the Orthodox can pray to Christ about their loved ones who have strayed from the path of truth and fallen into the hands of sectarians. It is believed that the Savior as a good shepherd should lead the lost back to the true religion.

The parishioners of a church can always ask Christ about the health of their father and any other dignitary whom they have never met personally. Before pleading, it is advisable to read the akathist to Jesus the Most Sweet.

Remembrance Days

The king of kings is an icon written in the apocalyptic subjects of the Bible, so her remembrance is at the second coming of Christ, due to take place on the day when people are to appear at the Last Judgment and answer for their actions.

According to church traditions, this holiday is not tied to any number. It depends on the day of Easter this year and falls on the Week of the Last Judgment. This is a Sunday day, when there is a zeal before the Great Lent.

Where to find the icon of the King of Kings

In Moscow, icons depicting this epithet are mostly found in museums and art galleries. Particularly revered specimens are in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin, in Kapotny and in the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity (Moscow Region).

Judging by the information from open sources, we can conclude that this icon is quite rare in Moscow, as in Russia as a whole (not counting the frescoes in the church of Yaroslavl and the cathedral of Murom). And if it were not for the high cost of sale, which is not available to every Orthodox person, it would be much easier to buy the icon personally for yourself in any specialized online store.