The Greek word ‘Deesis’ means literally ‘entreaty’ and is usually rendered today as ‘intercession’. Certainly that was the meaning of the image of Christ Enthroned attended by The Virgin and John the Baptist from the period of the 13th century. However the composition is older and examples are known from the 9th century when the meaning was not so much that of intercession but rather that of honouring Mary and John as the first witnesses of Christ’s divinity. The composition soon grew into the so-called Extended Deesis or Great Deesis where many further intercessors were included. The main row of the 15th century iconostases in Russian churches included altogether 14 saints ranked either side of Christ, facing inwards towards him.

As was often the case, the composition is an adaptation of the image from pre-Christian, imperial times where one saw the emperor enthroned between two interceding courtiers.

In the centre panel is depicted Christ Enthroned. On the two side panels are the Mother of God and St John the Baptist. This is the traditional Deesis (Gr. Prayer) by which the Virgin and St John intercede at the Throne of Judgement on behalf of humanity. An early version of the composition can be seen in the well know mosaic in the gallery of the Cathedral of Hagia Sofia in Constantinople.