This icon was a part of the enlarged deesis, which was created to be included in the Zvenigorod church’s iconostasis. There were probably seven icons in it but only three are left to us, including this one (the others are those of St. Paul and of archangel Michael).

Although it has been damaged (it has lost its golden background, its monograms, its nimbus, the superior part of the forehead, hair and hands) the picture shows a unique beauty, especially thanks to the freshness of colours and to the harmony created in Christ’s features. Christ’s forehead, His marked eyebrows, His long but almost transparent beard, His small mouth that seems to talk, His eyes staring at the observer, all these elements give spiritual strength and almost divine beauty to this sacred image.

It is not possible to understand the force of this representation if we do not bring it in the contest in which Rublev painted. He was a monk grown up in the icon art shop of the Trinity Monastery in Zagorsk. When he painted for the cathedrals his work became one with his prayer, since as any iconographer knows, God is present in the sacred image when it is given to the faithful to venerate.

And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun and His raiment was white as the light. (Mt 17:2)