The mosaic is a 5th century Byzantine mosaic of Jesus in the monastery of Latomos (now the church of Osios David) that is an acheiropoieton(a religious item believed to have been made miraculously)
    Later legend about the mosaic dates it back to the late third century AD when Maximian and Diocletian reigned jointly over the Roman Empire. It was said in this legend to have been discovered by Christian daughter of Emperor Maximian. She was said to have hid the image to protect it from potential damage by pagan and Roman authorities and it would go on to survive Byzantine Iconoclasm in the Eighth Century and the conversion of the church into a mosque in the fifteenth century. The mosaic was rediscovered two times, first by a monk from lower Egypt prior to the twelfth century and then again after the church was reconsecrated in the 1920's. It depicts Christ seated in glory with the four rivers of Paradise flowing under his feet, surrounded by angels and the symbols of the four evangelists. The Prophets Ezekiel and Habakkuk are depicted at the bottom of the composition.
    Thematically and artistically, the Icon of Christ of Latomos is likely the first of its type, depicting an apocalyptic scene with imagery from the Book of Ezekiel which communicates important theological ideas about the apocalypse.

    by Lettered_Olive

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