Christ Pantocrator

A poem

A thirteenth century mosaic of Christ Pantocrator (“Christ the Almighty”) at the Church of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey

It was not they who drew me
The ones who confound me
‘Twas beauty that drew me
Beauty of Christ himself
Reflected in these broken shards
Life shattered, soul mangled
Pieced together mosaic
Christ Pantocrator
To gaze upon his beauty
Hope still flames within me
Walking slow, walking rough
Uncertain, unstable, propelled
Drawn to unearthly made earthy
I seek that which seeks me
Christ Pantocrator
The healing balm, the joy restored
Goodness in living land
Almighty, most sovereign
Forever I AM
Never forsaking, always awakening
Beauty from breaking
Christ Pantocrator

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P.S.

• My newest book, Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, is now on sale. You can purchase a copy here.

• If you are experiencing anxiety following the U.S. election, I recommend that you read this article, which I wrote earlier in the year.

• You can also read this article which I wrote for Mockingbird: “(Post) Election Day Hope”.