What Are Icons of Jesus Christ?
Icons of Jesus Christ are sacred images that present the Lord in one of His devotional roles — as Christ Pantocrator, the Sacred Heart, the Divine Mercy, the Good Shepherd, Christ the King, Ecce Homo, the Holy Face, or the Infant of Prague. In the Catholic tradition an icon is not a portrait but a window: it is made so that the faithful can contemplate a mystery of faith and be drawn into prayer.
Our collection brings together Catholic icons made on alder wood and hand-gilded with gold leaf. Each icon is made in Poland, is available in four sizes, and is suitable for a home altar, a parish sacristy, a classroom, or as a gift for a baptism, First Holy Communion, confirmation, or ordination. Prices for the collection range from $48 to $121.
Christ Pantocrator: The Ruler of All
Christ Pantocrator — from the Greek pantokrator, “ruler of all” — is the most recognisable icon of Jesus Christ in Christian art. Christ is shown facing the viewer, with the book of the Gospels in one hand and the other raised in blessing. The image goes back to the sixth-century icon of Christ Pantocrator at Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Sinai and remains the standard image for the sanctuary and the iconostasis.
Choose a Pantocrator icon when you want a strong, doctrinal image for a church, a chapel, or a family home. It pairs naturally with Catholic icons of Our Lady and the saints. See our Christ Pantocrator icon and the Pantocrator with scenes from the life of Christ.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Sacred Heart is a symbol of Christ’s love for humanity: a flaming heart, pierced by the lance, encircled by the crown of thorns, and surmounted by the cross. The devotion is rooted in the Gospels and in the writings of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, and it is celebrated in the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the second Friday after Trinity Sunday.
A Sacred Heart icon of Jesus Christ is a common choice for a home, a school, or a parish hall, and it is a traditional gift for a First Holy Communion. Browse our Jesus heart icon or the golden Christ icon for a warmer, more devotional style.
The Divine Mercy Image
The Divine Mercy image shows Christ with a red ray and a pale ray flowing from His heart, representing blood and water. It is based on the visions of St. Faustina Kowalska and is associated with the message “Jesus, I trust in You”. The image is especially popular in parishes and homes preparing for Divine Mercy Sunday, the second Sunday of Easter.
Our current assortment focuses on Pantocrator, the Sacred Heart, the Good Shepherd, Ecce Homo, and the Holy Face. If you are looking for a Divine Mercy icon, contact us and we will advise on a suitable devotional image. For the wider context, read Understanding Catholic Icons.
Jesus the Good Shepherd
The Good Shepherd is one of the oldest images of Christ: a shepherd carrying a lamb on his shoulders, often with a staff and a cross. The image comes from the Gospel of John, where Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep” (Jn 10:11). It appears in the catacombs of Rome and in Byzantine iconography.
Our Good Shepherd icon and the Good Shepherd icon are both hand-gilded on alder wood. They are a gentle choice for a baptism, a children’s room, or a parish office.
Christ the King
Christ the King is a title of Jesus that emphasises His sovereignty over creation and over history. The feast of Christ the King was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 and is celebrated on the last Sunday of the liturgical year. In art, Christ is shown in majesty, often with a crown, a royal mantle, and the instruments of the Passion.
A Christ the King icon is a strong visual statement for a church, a chapel, or a family home. If you would like a specific size or composition, contact us and we will help you choose from our Catholic icon collection.
Ecce Homo: Behold the Man
Ecce Homo — “Behold the Man” — is the phrase Pilate used when he presented the scourged Christ to the crowd (Jn 19:5). The image shows Christ with the crown of thorns, a reed sceptre, and a purple cloak. It is a Lenten image that invites meditation on the Passion and on the patience of Christ.
Our Ecce Homo icon is a hand-gilded icon on alder wood, available in four sizes. It is a meaningful gift for a priest, a sacristy, or a home prayer corner.
The Veil of Veronica and the Holy Face
The Veil of Veronica is the cloth with which, according to tradition, Veronica wiped the face of Christ on the way to Calvary. The image of the Holy Face is associated with the sixth Station of the Cross and with the devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus. It is a quiet, contemplative image, often placed in a chapel or a home oratory.
See our Veil of Veronica icon, hand-gilded with gold leaf on alder wood. For the full devotion, browse our Stations of the Cross collection.
The Infant of Prague
The Infant Jesus of Prague is a wooden-wax statuette of the child Jesus in the Church of Our Lady Victorious in Prague. The devotion spread throughout Europe and the Americas, and the image is often shown with a royal orb and a cross. An Infant of Prague icon is a traditional gift for a family, a school, or a child’s bedroom.
Our current assortment does not yet include a dedicated Infant of Prague icon; we can advise on a suitable Christ icon for the same devotion. For more ideas, read How to Choose Icons for a Church.
Materials and Craftsmanship
Our icons of Jesus Christ are made on alder wood. The image is applied to the board with a durable imaging process, and the gold elements are then applied by hand with gold leaf. This gives each icon a warm, luminous surface that is closer to traditional iconography than a flat poster or a resin plaque.
Each icon is made in Poland, in the tradition of the Lublewo Gdańskie icon workshop. Most icons are packed in a protective box, and each comes with a certificate. Because the gilding is applied by hand, small variations in tone and texture are normal and are part of the character of the piece.
If you are choosing an icon for a church, read How to Choose Icons for a Church. For care and display, see How to Care for Sacred Icons.
Sizes and Prices
Most icons of Jesus Christ in this collection are available in four sizes: A (10.5 × 14 cm), B (12 × 16 cm), E (17 × 23 cm), and F (29 × 39 cm). The base price is $48 for size A; larger sizes are priced according to the size and the amount of gilding. The current range for the collection is $48–$121.
| Size | Dimensions | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| A | 10.5 × 14 cm | Shelf, desk, small prayer corner |
| B | 12 × 16 cm | Home altar, bedside, gift |
| E | 17 × 23 cm | Wall, parish office, classroom |
| F | 29 × 39 cm | Church, chapel, large wall |
Prices are in USD. For a quote on a larger size or a custom order, contact us.
How to Choose, Display, and Care for an Icon
Choose an icon of Jesus Christ by subject first: Pantocrator for a sanctuary, the Sacred Heart for a home, the Good Shepherd for a baptism, Ecce Homo or the Holy Face for Lent. Then choose the size: A and B for a shelf or a small prayer corner, E and F for a wall, a chapel, or a church.
Hang the icon at eye level, away from direct sunlight and damp. Dust it with a soft, dry cloth; do not use water, alcohol, or abrasive cleaners on the gold leaf. Icons of Christ are appropriate for personal prayer, parish decoration, and gifts. For more detail, read our guide to caring for sacred icons and our guide to setting up a home altar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most famous icon of Jesus Christ?
The most famous is usually considered to be Christ Pantocrator, especially the sixth-century Sinai icon. Other well-known images include the Sacred Heart, the Good Shepherd, the Divine Mercy, and the Holy Face. Each one presents a different aspect of the same mystery of the Incarnation.
What is the difference between Christ Pantocrator and the Sacred Heart?
Christ Pantocrator presents Christ as the ruler of all, holding the Gospels and blessing the viewer. The Sacred Heart focuses on His love and the Passion, shown through the flaming heart, the crown of thorns, and the cross. Both are traditional Catholic images, but they serve different devotional emphases.
What does the Sacred Heart symbol mean?
The flaming heart stands for the love of Christ; the crown of thorns and the lance wound recall His Passion; the cross and the rays of light point to the source of grace. The devotion invites the faithful to respond to Christ’s love with trust and reparation.
What is the Divine Mercy image?
The Divine Mercy image shows Christ with red and pale rays flowing from His heart, representing blood and water. It is based on the visions of St. Faustina Kowalska and is associated with the prayer “Jesus, I trust in You” and with Divine Mercy Sunday.
Why is Jesus shown as the Good Shepherd?
The Good Shepherd image comes from the Gospel of John, where Jesus describes Himself as the shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. It is one of the oldest Christian images and expresses care, protection, and self-giving love.
What does Ecce Homo mean?
Ecce Homo is Latin for “Behold the Man”. It is the phrase Pilate used when he presented the scourged Christ to the crowd in John 19:5. The image shows Christ with the crown of thorns and a purple cloak, and it is especially associated with Lent.
What is the Veil of Veronica?
According to tradition, Veronica wiped the face of Christ on the way to Calvary and received the imprint of His face on her cloth. The image of the Holy Face is linked to the sixth Station of the Cross and to the devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus.
What is the Infant of Prague?
The Infant Jesus of Prague is a wooden-wax statuette of the child Jesus in the Church of Our Lady Victorious in Prague. The devotion spread across Europe and the Americas and is often associated with trust in Divine Providence and with the education of children.
Are Catholic icons the same as Orthodox icons?
Catholic and Orthodox icons share the same early Christian heritage and many of the same subjects, including Christ Pantocrator, the Good Shepherd, and the Holy Face. Catholic devotion also developed images such as the Sacred Heart and the Divine Mercy, which are less common in the Orthodox tradition.
What are these icons made of?
These icons of Jesus Christ are made on alder wood. The image is applied to the board with a durable imaging process, and the gold elements are applied by hand with gold leaf. Each piece is made in Poland and comes with a certificate; most are packed in a protective box.
What sizes are available?
Most icons are available in four sizes: A (10.5 × 14 cm), B (12 × 16 cm), E (17 × 23 cm), and F (29 × 39 cm). The smaller sizes suit a shelf or a home altar; the larger sizes suit a wall, a chapel, or a church.
How much do icons of Jesus Christ cost?
The collection starts at $48 for size A and currently ranges up to $121 for the largest size. The final price depends on the subject and the size. Contact us for a quote on a custom or larger piece.
How should I display and care for an icon?
Hang the icon at eye level, away from direct sunlight and damp. Dust it with a soft, dry cloth and avoid water, alcohol, and abrasive cleaners on the gold leaf. For more detail, read our guide to caring for sacred icons.
Can I give an icon as a gift?
Yes. Icons of Jesus Christ are traditional gifts for baptism, First Holy Communion, confirmation, ordination, and weddings. Each icon comes with a certificate, and most are packed in a protective box, so it is ready to give.
Explore More Icons of Jesus Christ
Continue with our related collections: Holy Family icons, icons of the archangels, holy and blessed icons, Holy Spirit icons, and icons of Our Lady. For the liturgy, see liturgical chalices, crosses and crucifixes, and sanctuary lamps.
