We often use the Greek letters chi (X) and rho (P), superimposed one on the other, as a symbol to reference Christianity. In an article published by Aleteia, Philip Kosloski explains that, the monogram (also called a christogram) primarily represents Jesus Christ while also being a common representation of the crucifixion scene.
According to the historian Eusebius, [the emperor] Constantine received a heavenly vision while he was praying:
[W]hile he was thus praying… a most marvelous sign appeared to him from heaven… [W]hen the day was already beginning to decline, he saw with his own eyes the trophy of a cross of light in the heavens, above the sun, and bearing the inscription, CONQUER BY THIS. At this sight he himself was struck with amazement, and his whole army also, which followed him on this expedition, and witnessed the miracle.
What’s interesting is how the miracle was not private, but witnessed by his entire army. Constantine even swore an oath regarding the account of the event. Even more so, at this time Constantine had not yet been instructed in the Christian faith and this event spurred him into deeper studies of Christianity.
The vision was confirmed that same night when Jesus appeared to Constantine and commanded him to make a likeness of that sign which he had seen in the heavens, and to use it as a safeguard in all engagements with his enemies.
Quickly after the vision Constantine sought to fulfill the command and instructed the army to create the following image based on the vision he received.
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, the symbol of the Saviour’s name, two letters indicating the name of Christ by means of its initial characters, the letter P [rho] being intersected by X [chi] in its centre: and these letters the emperor was in the habit of wearing on his helmet at a later period… The emperor constantly made use of this sign of salvation as a safeguard against every adverse and hostile power, and commanded that others similar to it should be carried at the head of all his armies.
While some historians debate the authenticity of this tale, what is certain is after this event the Chi-Rho symbol spread like wildfire and was used in Christian art throughout the Roman Empire. Even to this day it is used in churches around the world and continues to represent the victorious God who has defeated sin and death.
--Philip Kosloski,
The Miraculous Story of the Chi-Rho Symbol
Image source: Chi-Rho Symbol, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna, Italy (425-450), https://twitter.com/byzantinelegacy/status/1079421654688776192
No comments:
Post a Comment