The Old Testament scenes, such as Abraham Sacrificing Isaac, are more lively than the rigidly formal Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora, with their court retinue, and Christ between two angels, St. Vitalis, and, far right, Bishop Ecclesius holding a model of the church.
Emperor Justinian and his Empress, Theodora, were anything but formal. 
mnli hypothesis: Emperor Justinian and his Empress, Theodora, were anything but formal.  premise: The Old Testament scenes, such as Abraham Sacrificing Isaac, are more lively than the rigidly formal Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora, with their court retinue, and Christ between two angels, St. Vitalis, and, far right, Bishop Ecclesius holding a model of the church.