Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Pantocrator

Crete, the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, is located about 100 km south of the Peloponnese. Crete was the center of Europe's first advanced civilization, the Minoans, from 3000 to 1400 BC. The Minoan civilization was overrun by the Mycenaean civilization from mainland Greece. Crete was later ruled by Rome, then successively by the Byzantine Empire, the Byzantine Empire again, the Venetian Republic, and the Ottoman Empire. In 1898 Crete, whose people had for some time wanted to join the Greek state, achieved independence from the Ottomans, formally becoming the Cretan State. Crete became part of Greece in December 1913. Myriokefala is a village located about 20 km of Rethymno, on the outskirts of the Kryoneritis mountain. The monastery of Panagia Andifonitria is located in the centre of the village and is still an important pilgrimage destination in the region. The cross-domed church, which was heavily modified until the 20th century, was founded around the year 1000. The square central building is extended in the west to form a two-bay Latin cross. The older frescoes from the beginning of the 11th century are mainly found in the dome and in the southern arm of the cross. The second layer of frescoes dates from the end of the 12th century. The (damaged) fresco of the Pantocrator in the dome is dated to 1020.

Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, is located about 100 km south of the Peloponnese. Crete was the center of Europe's first advanced civilization, the Minoans, from 3000 to 1400 BC. The Minoan civilization was overrun by the Mycenaean civilization from mainland Greece. Crete was later ruled by Rome, then successively by the Byzantine Empire, Andalusian Arabs, the Byzantine Empire again, the Venetian Republic, and the Ottoman Empire. In 1898 Crete, whose people had for some time wanted to join the Greek state, achieved independence from the Ottomans, formally becoming the Cretan State. Crete became part of Greece in December 1913. Heraklion is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete. With a municipal population of about 180.000 it is the fourth largest city in Greece. The greater area of Heraklion has been continuously inhabited since at least 7000 BCE, making it one of the oldest inhabited regions in Europe. As a major center of the Minoan civilization it often considered Europe's oldest city. The church of Agia Ekaterini was built in 1555 as the centre of the monastery. The ground plan is that of a Latin cross. In the second half of the 16th century, a side chapel dedicated to the Holy Ten Martyrs of Crete was added to the north. This side chapel is crowned by a dome construction, which is a mixture of Venetian and Islamic architectural elements. Today, the church houses the ‘Museum of Christian Art’. After the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, Byzantine artists and scholars began to emigrate. They were particularly attracted to Crete, which formed a Christian island in the eastern Mediterranean and became the centre of Byzantine culture in the Greek world. A fruitful cultural exchange between Italy and Crete took place here. The artists on Crete, who came from the tradition of Byzantine painting, adopted aspects of the painting style and, in particular, the painting technique and manner of depiction from Renaissance Italy and merged them with the Byzantine tradition. This gave rise to a school of icon painting known as the "Cretan School". Christ Pantocrator End of 14th c

The former parish church St. Andreas in Bad Goegging has a very winding and interesting history. This is the second church here. The predecessing one was built once over the basin of a Roman thermal bath, used by the Roman troops for recreation. There is a speculation, that Christians lived here already during the late Roman times. It is proven that this place was a Christian center during the time of the early missionaries. Only about 12kms north is Weltenburg Abbey, the oldest Bavarian monastery founded by iro-scottish monks in 617 - and there may have been connections to Goegging. The northern portal of St. Andreas is so elaborate, that this church must have been important during the 12th century. The entrance is flanked by two small lions, guarding the door. The portal so outstanding, it has been connected to the "Magistri Comacini" from Northern Italy, but the style seen here is rather rough. The Lombardic master masons mostly carved in a more elegant, softer style (eg Koenigslutter). There are many "interpretations" of all the different icons found here. The tympanum is carved in a style, that fits to "Magistri Comacini". It clearly differs from the carvings around the portal. Christ as a Pantocrator and eschatological judge, holds book. Christ is flanked by two angels, who both bow down below the semicircle and hold objects. The corners of their mouths are turned down. This is a very disapproving expression. The corbels below the tympanum depict (not to see from here) St. Johannes (John) and St. Andreas (Andrew).

Legends connect the foundation of the Abbazia Santa Maria di Vezzolano to Charlemagne. It does date back to the eighth century and got destroyed in the 10th century by the Saracens. The complex was rebuilt until 1189 and is documented as an Augustinian monastery from 1095. It was the seat of a community until the 19th century when it was suppressed during the Napoleonic invasion of Italy. - The cloister was adorned with frescoes, of which the most are lost or very damaged. This one was created within the 14th century and is still pretty much intact. Following the information given the fresco was sponsored by the noble family of Rivalba. Dying Oberto de Rivalba can be identified in the lowest part. This is a warning of "vanitas". Above him are the Magi, who may resemble members of the Rivalbas, adoring the child. Crowned by a Pantokrator.

A collegiate was founded here by William the Conquerer´s half-brother Robert, Count of Mortain, in 1082. The center of the collegiate was a Romanesque church. Of this only a side-portal still exists. The Gothic church of today was erected from 1230 on and follows the Gothic style of the Île-de-France. It was funded by Mathilde de Dammartin, daughter in law of Philip II of France. This is, displayed in Saint-Évroult, a copy of the probably oldest work found here (in 1864!): the "Chrismale de Mortain" (aka "Coffret de Mortain", "Mortain Casket"). A wooden box, shaped like a nordic house, covered with gold-plated copper sheets. Such a "chrismale" was used to carry the blessed bread and wine for the eucharistic rites on voyages. It may have been used by early missionaries. The casket is dated to the 7th century and information given in Mortain tells, that it was brough from England by Robert de Mortain, the founder of the collegiate. Here is a closer look to Christ Pantocrator framed the archangels Michael and Gabriel.

A collegiate was founded here by William the Conquerer´s half-brother Robert, Count of Mortain, in 1082. The center of the collegiate was a Romanesque church. Of this only a side-portal still exists. The Gothic church of today was erected from 1230 on and follows the Gothic style of the Île-de-France. It was funded by Mathilde de Dammartin, daughter in law of Philip II of France. This is, displayed in Saint-Évroult, a copy of the probably oldest work found here (in 1864!): the "Chrismale de Mortain" (aka "Coffret de Mortain", "Mortain Casket"). A wooden box, shaped like a nordic house, covered with gold-plated copper sheets. Such a "chrismale" was used to carry the blessed bread and wine for the eucharistic rites on voyages. It may have been used by early missionaries. The casket is dated to the 7th century and information given in Mortain tells, that it was brough from England by Robert de Mortain, the founder of the collegiate. The little window was probably cut in later, when it may have been used as a reliquary. Seen on the roof is an angel and two birds. Below in the center Christ Pantocrator framed the archangels Michael and Gabriel.

The village of Berghausen is part of larger Schmallenberg since some decades. It existed already around 1200, when St. Cyriakus was erected, a very small basilica. The church was built on the floorplan of a "greek cross" and originally had three apses. The small right apse got lost, when the sacristy was added. During a renovation in 1936 frescoes were discovered under the plaster. Most remarkable is this large apse fresco. Christ Pantocrator in a mandorla.

Milan is the city capital of the Lombardy and the second most populous city in Italy after Rome. Known during Roman times as "Mediolanum" it was the place, where in 313 Constantine I and Licinius met and "signed" the "Edict of Milan", giving Christianity a legal status within the Roman empire. At the end of the Roman empire Milan was besieged by the Visigoths in 402, looted by the Huns in 452, and taken by the Ostrogoths in 539. Only 30 years later is belonged to the Kingdom of the Lombards, until in 774 Charlemagne defeated the Langobards and added Milan to the Carolingian empire. During Barbarossa´s (Frederik I) "Italian Campaigns" Milan was taken and destroyed to a great extent. Milan came back and flourished, when in 1386 the construction of the cathedral began, the Basilica di San Lorenzo had survived about a 1000 years! It was built between the late 4th and early 5th centuries. Some scholars connect it to (Arian!) bishop Auxentius (355-372) others to Flavius Stilicho (359 – 408) a powerful "magister militum" in the Roman army and close relative of Thedodosius I. Desasters like fires and earthquakes have hitten the Basilica different times, but it got rebuilt, renovated, reconstructed and of course altered may times. Today the Basilica di San Lorenzo is a "complex" of churches and chapels. The central structure is a squarish tetraconch with four apses, one in each direction. The chapels radiate from the ambulatory. The Cappella Cittadini is one of these chapels. The apse once had a Pantocrator-frescoe, created in the late 12th century.

Stift Millstatt ("Millstatt Abbey") was founded by the Aribo II and Boto, members of Aribonids, a noble, Bavarian family, around 1070. Run by Benedictine monks and protected by Papal deeds Stift Millstatt prospered in the early years and a nunnery was added. Within the 13th century, the decay began. As the abbey had secular Church Vogts, it suffered strongly under the political powergames of that timne and finaly ended 1456 under the House of Habsburg. At that time only 10 monks still lived here. Emperor Frederick III reached a papal bull in 1469, so that the military order of the Knights of Saint George took over Stift Millstatt in order to fight the invading troops of the Ottoman Empire. The order now had to cope with the debts left by the Benedictines and the redevelopment of the neglected premises. While the knights were engaged with the fortification of the monastery, they failed to protect the region. Millstatt was heavily devastated by the Turks in 1478, followed by Hungarian troops in 1487. As the power of the knightly order declined, unrests and revolts arose among the surrounding peasants. As the new Protestant belief spread in the area the monastery vested the Society of Jesus ("Jesuits") in 1598 to support the Counter-Reformation. The monks were disliked by the population for their stern measures. In 1737 the displeasure culminated in open revolt, when peasants ganged up and stormed the monastery. The rule of the Jesuits ended, when the order was suppressed by Pope Clement XIV in 1773. The monks had to leave Millstatt. Today the former abbey-church serves the parish, while the other buildings belong to the Austrian state and host the "Österreichische Bundesforste" (Austrian State Forestry Commission). The western side, the towers and the magnificent Romanesque funnel portal were created under abbot Heinrich I (1166 - 1177). The church underwent numerous alterations over the centuries. It did not only suffer from fires, but as well from earthquakes. A strong quake in 1690 heavily damaged the western facade. The repair took more than four years. The lintel under the tympanum at that time broke in four pieces (note the iron clamps). The Jesuits then covered the tympanum with plaster - and it stayed hidden until 1878. The tympanum depicts Christ Pantocrator (same hairdo like Samson in Gurk!), holding a book ("Ego sum Alpha et Omega") and surrounded by sun, moon and stars. Christ blesses Abbot Henricus, who holds a model of the church. The inscription on the archivolt reads "HEINRICUS ABBAS RUDGER - - - E FECIT! It is incomplete, but it is clear that Rudger (the artist) signed his work.

The construction of the "Duomo" began in 1064 by the architect Busketo, who with this structure set the model for the distinctive Pisan Romanesque style of architecture. When the construction of this cathedral started, Pisa was on a height of political (and financial) power. Pisa was an important commercial centre controlling large parts of the Mediterranean merchant fleet and navy. In 1017 Pisa had militarily supported the Sardinian "Giudicati" (regional kings) to defeat Saracen troops in the north of Sardinia. Between 1030 and 1035, Pisa defeated rival towns in Sicily. In 1051–1052 admiral Jacopo Ciurini conquered Corsica. In 1063 admiral Giovanni Orlando, coming to the aid of the Norman Roger I, took Palermo from the Saracen. The gold treasure taken from the Saracens in Palermo allowed the Pisans to start the building of the cathedral - and all other building of the "Piazza del Duomo". But the victorious Pisans did not only bring gold back, when they looted an area. They dismantled complete buildings and shipped the marble home, to be used here. The large mosaic of the apse, depicting Christ Pantocrator, was completed in 1302. It is survived the fire, that severely damaged the church in 1595. The mosaic shows a show a strong Byzantine style. The black and white pattern remind me on the Mezquita de Cordoba.

The former collegiate church Saint-Aignan was built from the early 11th to the early 13th century, so there is a transition from Romanesque to early Gothic style. The church replaced a chapel from the 9th century and was a center of pilgrimage, as the relics of Saint Aignan of Orlean (+ 453) were venerated here. The church was ruined for a long time and got renovated and restored during the 19th century. During the renovation of the nave at least some parts got recreated. Fortunately the ambulatory crypt, the oldest part of the collegiate church SaThe former collegiate church Saint-Aignan was built from the early 11th to the early 13th century, so there is a transition from Romanesque to early Gothic style. The church replaced a chapel from the 9th century and was a center of pilgrimage, as the relics of Saint Aignan of Orlean (+ 453) were venerated here. The church was ruined for a long time and got renovated and restored during the 19th century. During the renovation of the nave at least some parts got recreated. Fortunately the ambulatory crypt, the oldest part of the collegiate church Saint-Aignan, got not renovated like the nave. It stayed pretty much intact and has frescoes dating back to the 12th and 13th century. Here is the apse of the crypt´s central chapel - and a Christ Pantocrator ("Christ in Majesty") in a mandorla.int-Aignan, got not renovated like the nave. It stayed pretty much intact and has frescoes dating back to the 12th and 13th century. Here is the apse of the crypt´s central chapel - and a Christ Pantocrator ("Christ in Majesty") in a mandorla.

Morthemer, once an independent settlement, is since 1969 part of larger Valdivienne. Towering above the village are the castle and the church. The erection of these (interconnected) buildings started within the 11th century. To lay the foundation of the church must have been extremly difficult, as the structure is built sidewards on a kind of steep cliff. The crypt is equipped with large windows, where the light flows in. The crypt and the choir above are the oldest parts of the structure, dating to the 11th century. Probably within the 13th century the walls of the crypt got decorated with frescoes. Most of them are "crumbled" off the walls, but some can still be seen. Here is a deatil of the "Christ Pantocrator".

Morthemer, once an independent settlement, is since 1969 part of larger Valdivienne. Towering above the village are the castle and the church. The erection of these (interconnected) buildings started within the 11th century. To lay the foundation of the church must have been extremly difficult, as the structure is built sidewards on a kind of steep cliff. The crypt is equipped with large windows, where the light flows in. The crypt and the choir above are the oldest parts of the structure, dating to the 11th century. Probably within the 13th century the walls of the crypt got decorated with frescoes. Most of them are "crumbled" off the walls, but some can still be seen. A "Christ Pantocrator" in a kind of "conched" mandorla. Around him are the symbols of the evangelists.

Moradillo de Sedano is a small hamlet, about 50kms north of Burgos. The "Iglesia de San Esteban" was built on a little hill. Following an inscription, the church was completed in 1188. The church has been enlarged during the 14th century, when a Gothic apse was added. A recently added porch protects the southern portal. Here are the tympanum and the archivolts. Christ (Pantocrator) is seated in the center of an oval mandorla on a sculptured throne (lions). Around him are four angels holding the evangelists´ symbols, flanked by St. Peter and St. Paul. Around the two halfs of the mandorla runs an inscription, that reads "vicit leo de tribu iuda, radix David, alelluia". There are three archivolts. The outer one has floral patterns, the middle one a mixture of mythical beasts and biblical scenes, while the inner one is populated by the 24 crowned Elders of the Apocalypse. There are twelve on either sides plus one angel in the center. Here are four of the Elders.

Moradillo de Sedano is a small hamlet, about 50kms north of Burgos. The "Iglesia de San Esteban" was built on a little hill. Following an inscription, the church was completed in 1188. The church has been enlarged during the 14th century, when a Gothic apse was added. A recently added porch protects the southern portal. Here are the tympanum and the archivolts. Christ (Pantocrator) is seated in the center of an oval mandorla on a sculptured throne (lions). Around him are four angels holding the evangelists´ symbols, flanked by St. Peter and St. Paul. Around the two halfs of the mandorla runs an inscription, that reads "vicit leo de tribu iuda, radix David, alelluia". There are three archivolts. The outer one has floral patterns, the middle one a mixture of mythical beasts and biblical scenes, while the inner one is populated by the 24 crowned Elders of the Apocalypse. There are twelve on either sides plus one angel in the center.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. To the left is the eastern/front side with Christ as a Pantocrator in a mandorla to the right the northern side. The 12 Elders of the Apocalypse here add to the 12 of the of the opposite side to 24. In the center a mandorla around Virgin and Child.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. The eastern/front side with Christ as a Pantocrator in a mandorla, with the symbols of the Evangelists in the four triangels. Christ wears a kind of toga and holds a large book (bible). His face seems a bit mutilated and his bare knees are covered by small carved graffiti. Above is a inspcription HIC IACET • CORP(us) • S(an)C(t)I • IVNIANI • IN • VASE • IN • Q(u)O • PRIVS • POSITVM • FVIT (Here is the body of Sanctus Juniani in the vessel in which it was buried first)