Hetoimasia
The term Hetoimasia (in more recent spelling also Etimasia, Etimasia ) denotes the arming of the throne of Christ according to the revelation of John 22, 1-4.
An icon with the theme of Hetoimasia shows the empty throne of Christ and in the background a cross symbolizing the invisible presence of Christ. It is the representation of the preparation of the throne for the return of Christ and the judgment of the world .
The Etimasia (synonym: Throne of God) is an early Christian and Middle Byzantine representation of the Trinity , which merges the symbols for the three divine persons Father, Son and Holy Spirit into one unit. The oldest Etimasia depiction dates from the 4th century AD, another example from the 12th century AD can be seen in the middle of the Pala d'Oro in Venice. Most of these representations contain a throne (symbol for the father), lamb or cross (son) and dove or book of the gospels (Holy Spirit).
literature
- Helmut Fischer: The icon. Origin - meaning - shape. Herder Verlag, 1989
