This is an action type icon that depicts Christ as ‘the High Priest’, celebrating the Divine Liturgy with his Apostles, and in this moment preparing to distribute the Consecrated Bread and Consecrated Wine to them. As High Priest he is vested as a Bishop, with the Pallium (Bishop’s Stole) and the Sakkos (Episcopal Dalmatic with the cross pattern on it). He stands at the centre of the icon and action, as this is His Body and His Blood which He is about to share. The Dome represents the Church/Temple and the Altar, the Altar of Sacrifice, which is called the Throne in Eastern theology, as in the Throne or Mercy Seat on the Ark of the Covenant. The Consecrated Elements are on top of the Antimension, which itself is upon the Altar along with the open Service Book. The cross on the Altar frontal, further confirms that this is the High and Holy Table.
The two angels are holding Rapidion (fans) which denote the presence of the Holy or Sacred. These were often covered with images of seraphim and cherubim and as such surround the throne of God as depicted in the Book of Revelation. There are two angels because according to Jewish Law, two witnesses are always needed to confirm a statement as true. (Two angels appear at the Ascension Icon, or sometimes to the spice Bearing Women at the Empty Tomb, for example, for this same reason). The Apostles on Christ’s right are about to receive the Holy Bread and so their hands are held upright with bear palm open. Just as when the Bishop gives his Deacons and Priests the Eucharist during a Pontifical Divine Liturgy, traditionally he places it in their hand. The Apostle’s on Christ’s left are about to receive the Holy Wine and so their hands are covered with their cloaks so that they may pick up the chalice in this more respectful way. Traditionally, cloth is often used as a sign of respect and protection when handling a sacred object. Even in the West this custom continues as in the Humeral Veil used when picking up a Monstrance during Benediction.
