Alpha and Omega (version of the picture)

The name of the picture comes from the Bible: “Az Alma and Omega, the essence is the beginning and the end, says the Lord, who is and was and is to come, the Almighty.” (“The Revelation of St. John the Evangelist” Chapter 1, verse 8.)
Full quote: “John to the seven churches located in Asia: grace be to you and peace from him who is and was and is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and Lord of the kings of the earth. To Him, who loved us and washed us from our sins with His Blood and made us kings and priests to God and His Father, glory and power for ever and ever, amen. Behold, he is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, and those that pierced Him; and all the nations of the earth cry out before him. She, amen. ”(“ The Revelation of St. John the Evangelist, ”Chapter 1, verse 4-7.)
This painting depicts the appearance of the "seven spirits" and the Holy Spirit, shining in the sky in the form of a dove. This is the moment before Jesus Christ appeared in heaven: “Behold, he is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him ...”
The plot of the canvas unfolds against the backdrop of the Arkhangelsk Cathedral, which is one of the most ancient architectural buildings of the Ryazan Kremlin.
Several times are combined in the picture: the deep past is the cathedral, the eternal is the Holy Spirit, and for us the future is the Apocalypse. Since Christ is the “Firstborn of the Dead,” this inspires hope that everyone will be resurrected, and death is only a transition from earthly life to eternal life.