Chi and Rho are the first two letters (ΧΡ)
of "Christ" in Greek ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ.
(Christos). Sometimes it is called the Monogram of Christ
or Chrismon or Labarum. While it was used very early by
persecuted Christians in the catacombs, when Constantine I was
struggling to become
emperor, he used the symbol at the front of his armies and was
victorious (see below).
Gravestone for the boy Asellus. Catacomb picture of Peter and Paul with the
Chi-Rho symbol between them. Marble catacomb inscription, Pio
Cristiano: Vatican Museum
Chi-Rho symbol as part of a marble catacomb
gravestone of Seberus, Pio Cristiano: Vatican Museum. Notice
the Omega and Alpha symbols to the left and right of the
Chi-Rho.
The Chi-Rho is often shown with the Greek letters Alpha (A)
and Omega (lower case ώ or upper
case Ω), the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.
Jesus refers to himself: "I
am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning
and the End." (Revelation 22:13).
Monogram of Christ, Museo Pio Cristiano,
Vatican, undated. Notice the Alpha and Omega symbols as part
of the Chi-Rho monogram.
The story goes that in In 312 AD, Constantine (ruled 306 - 337) was about to lead
his army in a battle with his enemy Maxentius at the Milvian
Bridge outside Rome. The winner would become emperor of the whole
empire.
Oiginally Constantine had been a pagan,
but he was worried about the coming battle. He says he started to
pray to the "Supreme God" for help.There was a sign in the sky
"above the sun" and with it the words "conquer by this". That
night in a dream he said he saw Jesus telling him to use the
chi-rho sign "as a safeguard in all battles". Constantine ordered
it to be put on his soldier's shields -- and won the battle.
Eusebius writes about this symbol:
Obverse of a bronze coin issued in 353 AD by
Magnentius with the Chi-Rho symbol.
Alpha and Omega are also shown.
Larger
image.
"Now it was made in the following manner. A long spear,
overlaid with gold, formed the figure of the cross by means of a
transverse bar laid over it. On the top of the whole was fixed a
wreath of gold and precious stones; and within this, (2) the
symbol of the Saviour's name, two letters indicating the name of
Christ by means of its initial characters, the letter P being
intersected by X in its centre...." (Eusebius,
Life of Constantine, 1.31)
The Chi-Rho also appears in a different form as a monogram
(folio 344r) in the famous illuminated manuscript, the Book of
Kells produced by Celtic monks about 800 AD. Also in the
Book of Deer, the
Book of Durrow, the
Corpus Irish Gospel,
AE 2 of
Magnentius. In 353 AD, near the end of his losing battle with
Constantius II, the usurper Magnentius issued bronze coins
showing the Chi-Rho between the letters Alpha and Omega (REV.
22:13).
Dove and Chi-rho inscribed in stone, Inscription of
Bincentia, flanked by chi-rho, basket (signifying good works),
and dove with olive branch; Catacomb of S. Sebastiano, Rome
Chi rho symbol accompinied by the letter alpha and omega
inscribed in its upper half, adorns the roof of a Baldacchino
tomb at Abbatija tad-Dejr in Rabat, Malta.
This copy of a catacomb inscription shows four
symbols -- the Chi-Rho, Alpha and Omega, anchor, and leaf
(unknown catacomb location). Notice that the Chi character is
vertical, strongly suggesting the cross.
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