Saint John the Theologian dictating to Prochoros

According to the Acts of John by Prochoros, an apocryphal writing dated in the 5th century, John was exiled in Patmos accompanied by his young disciple Prochoros. In the cave of the Apocalypse, he had the visions that were dictated to Prochoros and constituted the book of Revelation. The icon represents this known theme of Saint John dictating the Apocalypse to his young disciple. He is seated on the left in the cave of the Apocalypse, on a square stool with gold striation and Prochoros on teh right, also on a stool, is writing on the open book that is supported upon his knees. The beginning of the Gospel According to John is written: IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD AND THE WORD WAS GOD. A tall, elaborate book stand is placed between the two figures. On the gold codex upon it, a passage from the First Epistle of John (4.12) is written: IF WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER GOD DWELLETH IN US AND HIS LOVE. Even though in the known Cretan representations of this scene (15th-17th centuries) the left hand of the Theologian is supporting his head, deep in thought, here it is directed towards Prochoros in a sign of dictation, a gesture more suitable to the real contents of the event found in the earlier depictions of the scene (10th-14th centuries). The gesture here must be considered as an intentional archaism as the icon exhibits elements of the Cretan type, like the framing of the figures by the rocks of the cave. The whole composition, especially the rocks and the drapery, appears geometric, while the feet that project over the border of the picture, overlapping the frame, and Saint John's gaze are rendered in a certain freedom and indicate a vivid mannerist spirit.