Deesis with Saints (Sedmiza) The Greek word Deisis literally means ‘entreaty’ and is sometimes rendered as ‘prayer’ or ‘intercession’. This was certainly the understanding of images depicting Christ enthroned at center flanked by the Virgin and John the Baptist from as early as the 12th or 13th century. However, the composition itself is much older and examples are known from as early as the 9th century.
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