The text discusses an icon dated to the year 1685, which shows Saint Christopher Kynokephalos, also known as the dog-headed Saint Christopher. According to C. H. Baltoyanni, this icon presents the saint as a single standing figure, shown in profile and looking toward the left. He holds a cross staff in his hand, which identifies him as a martyr-saint. This type of depiction is important because it shows both his role as a soldier of faith and his connection to martyrdom Sofia Day Tour .
In this icon, Saint Christopher is represented differently from the usual Byzantine artistic tradition. Instead of being portrayed in a more stylized or symbolic manner, he appears as a young and handsome figure dressed in military clothing. This detail suggests a strong and noble character and reflects a more popular and eastern variation of the iconography. The dog-headed form, known as “Kynokephalos,” is connected to older legends about the saint and his unusual appearance. These legends were widely known and appreciated in popular devotion, especially from the fifteenth century and even more from the seventeenth century onward. Scholars such as M. Bock have studied these representations and their meaning in icon painting.
Popular Devotion and Later Examples
The legend of Saint Christopher Kynokephalos gained great popularity among believers over time. His unusual appearance did not reduce his importance but instead made him more memorable and respected in popular religious culture. From the seventeenth century onward, his image appeared more frequently in icons and devotional objects. However, there are also many icons of All Saints from later periods, especially from the nineteenth century, that do not include Saint Christopher Kynokephalos. Some of these examples were produced as paper icons, which were simpler and more affordable for personal devotion Introduction to the Feast and Its Meaning.
General Composition of the Icon of All Saints
The icon of All Saints is carefully organized and rich in symbolic meaning. The saints are arranged in seven superimposed rows, one above the other, and the entire group is enclosed within a circular composition. This circular structure symbolizes eternity and the unity of the heavenly Church. The icon does not contain inscriptions, but all the figures are shown with halos, clearly identifying them as holy persons.
The use of many rows also reflects the idea that the saints come from different times, places, and backgrounds. Despite their differences, they are united in divine glory. This visual order expresses harmony and spiritual hierarchy within the heavenly assembly.
The Representation of the Holy Trinity
At the top of the icon is the Holy Trinity, composed of Christ, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. They are seated on clouds painted in red and blue, which symbolize heavenly space and divine presence. God the Father is shown holding a celestial sphere (sphaira) in his left hand, while he blesses with his right hand. This gesture shows his authority over the universe and his role as the Creator.
Christ is also shown blessing with his right hand, emphasizing his role as Savior and Judge. The Holy Spirit appears in the form of a dove within an aureole and sends out rays of light in wave-like forms. These rays symbolize divine grace and the presence of the Spirit among the saints.
The Hetoimasia and the Theme of the Second Coming
Below the Trinity is the Hetoimasia, which means the “Prepared Throne” of the Second Coming. It is painted in green and yellow and placed within a circular aureole. On the throne appear the Arma Christi, the instruments of Christ’s Passion, which remind the viewer of sacrifice and redemption. Behind the throne rises a dark brown cross, reinforcing the connection to Christ’s suffering and victory.
Beneath the Hetoimasia, Christ the King is depicted as the Judge of the World, also within a circular aureole. This arrangement connects the icon of All Saints with the theme of the Last Judgment and the Second Coming. However, the emphasis is not on punishment but on the glory of the righteous. The icon therefore presents a hopeful vision of salvation, where the saints gather around Christ in eternal light and harmony.
