Deësis mosaic from Hagia Sophia

Deësis mosaic from Hagia Sophia

a. Commissioned to mark the return to Eastern Orthodoxy in the Hagia Sophia, bringing an end of 57 years of Roman Catholic usage. It shows the central figure of Christ flanked by the Virgin Mary (left) and John the Baptist (right). The Deësis (in Greek, δέησις) is a common iconic scene in Eastern Orthodox art and can be translated as “prayer” or “supplication”. The Virgin Mary and John the Baptist are acting as intercessors for the faithful.

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