[Kolokotronis]

"Neither “priest” or “bishop” is used, but what we have here is Christ taking on the role of the priest giving the Eucharist and immediately commanding those present do it likewise. This establishes Christian ministerial priesthood: men consecrated to offer the sacrifice of Christ to their flock."

Mr. R, Alex is right on the money with this comment. One of the earliest icon depictions of Christ is as "Christ the High Priest". Christians viewed Christ as the "High Priest" for at least 10 centuries before anyone heard of the Reformers.

[annalex]

Magnificent icon.

For those wondering, the four winged characters surrounding Christ are the Holy Evangelists, referred by their symbols of man (St. Matthew), lion (St. Mark) ox (St. Luke) and eagle (St. John). Often all four have wings.

The "ο ων" that PaperTiger was quizzed upon makes its appearance, as it does always, on the nimbus of Our Lord. It is translated as "the being" or "the existence" and is a reference to the divinity of Christ by reminding us that "through Him all things were made".