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Introduction

Some Ancient Symbols

The Cross

Other Symbols

The Church is rich The Church is rich with visual with visual symbols.symbols.

Many of her Many of her symbols are symbols are ancientancient..

They They come from a come from a time when the time when the Church was Church was persecuted and persecuted and often met in often met in secret.secret.

A catacomb in A catacomb in RomeRome

Symbols Symbols werewere used used to express ideas to express ideas about the Christian about the Christian ffaith which written aith which written words words sometimes sometimes fail to convey.fail to convey. We must remember We must remember that many that many ChristiansChristians in the past could in the past could not read or writenot read or write so so visual symbols were visual symbols were very important to very important to them.them.

An ancient Celtic baptismal fontAn ancient Celtic baptismal font..

Some ancient Some ancient symbolssymbols

The Chi Rho symbol The Chi Rho symbol is one of the most is one of the most ancient. It is a ancient. It is a monogram of Christmonogram of Christ formed from the formed from the Greek letters chi Greek letters chi (X) and rho (P).(X) and rho (P).

TheThesese are the first are the first two letters of the two letters of the Greek word for Greek word for Christ “XPICTOC" Christ “XPICTOC" (pronounced (pronounced ChristosChristos).).

Legend tells us that Legend tells us that the first Christian the first Christian Roman EmperorRoman Emperor,, Constantine the Constantine the GreatGreat,, used used the the Chi-RhoChi-Rho symbol on symbol on the shields of his the shields of his soldiers.soldiers.

The symbol was The symbol was also used on the also used on the coins of the early coins of the early Christian Emperors.Christian Emperors.

““In this sign conquer”In this sign conquer”

The Greek word The Greek word for “fish” is ICHTHUS for “fish” is ICHTHUS

Each letter in Greek stands for a word Each letter in Greek stands for a word which together forms a sentence.which together forms a sentence.

This sign was used as a secret symbol by This sign was used as a secret symbol by the early Christians in the days of the early Christians in the days of persecutionpersecution..

Lets decode Lets decode the symbolthe symbol..

JesusJesus

ChristChrist

of Godof God

SonSon

SaviourSaviour

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.Saviour.

The symbol of The symbol of Jesus as the Jesus as the Good Shepherd Good Shepherd was also very was also very popularpopular amongst amongst early early ChristiansChristians. .

The lThe lamb amb that that Jesus carries Jesus carries around his around his shouldersshoulders represents represents the the saved. saved.

The Good Shepherd symbol The Good Shepherd symbol reassurereassuredd persecuted Christians persecuted Christians of God’s love for them and the of God’s love for them and the promise of eternal life.promise of eternal life.

Jesus proclaimed Himself the Jesus proclaimed Himself the Good Shepherd who gave His life Good Shepherd who gave His life for His sheep (John 10: 11 – 16for His sheep (John 10: 11 – 16

The cross is a The cross is a universal symbol of universal symbol of Christ and Christ and Christianity. Christianity.

It symbolises the It symbolises the suffering and death suffering and death of Jesus.of Jesus.

Crucifixion was still Crucifixion was still used in the Roman used in the Roman Empire up until the Empire up until the 44thth Century. Century.

Early Christians were Early Christians were reluctant to adopt reluctant to adopt this symbol.this symbol.

The cross is still a The cross is still a very powerful symbol. very powerful symbol.

Out of the rubble of Out of the rubble of the September 11the September 11thth bombing of the World bombing of the World Trade Center in New Trade Center in New York City there York City there emerged a great steel emerged a great steel cross. cross.

The cross is a symbol The cross is a symbol of suffering, mourning of suffering, mourning and loss. Yet it is also and loss. Yet it is also a symbol of hope and a symbol of hope and victory over death.victory over death.

There are many styles of cross in the There are many styles of cross in the Church.Church.

In this section we will look at the In this section we will look at the following:following:

The Crucifix

The Latin Cross

The Celtic Cross

The Orthodox Cross

Cross of St Peter

The St Andrew Cross

The Crusader Cross

The crucifix is a The crucifix is a symbol of Jesus’ symbol of Jesus’

suffering and death suffering and death on the cross. For on the cross. For our sins and the our sins and the

sins of all the world.sins of all the world.

The CrucifixThe Crucifix

This This is is most common most common of all of all crosses. It crosses. It reminds us ofreminds us of two two beliefs:beliefs:

1.1. TThe supreme he supreme sacrifice offered by sacrifice offered by JesusJesus..

2.2. TThe resurrection he resurrection and the hope of and the hope of eternal lifeeternal life. . (symbolized by the (symbolized by the empty cross)empty cross)

The Latin The Latin CrossCross

The Celtic Cross or The Celtic Cross or Iona Cross dates Iona Cross dates from the 6from the 6thth Century.Century.

This cross was This cross was closely associated closely associated with the great with the great British missionary, British missionary, St. Colomba.St. Colomba.

The CelticThe Celtic cross cross was used by the was used by the Celtic Christians in Celtic Christians in Great Britain and Great Britain and Ireland.Ireland.

The Orthodox Cross is The Orthodox Cross is closely associated with closely associated with the Eastern Orthodoxthe Eastern Orthodox ChurchChurcheses..

The upper bar The upper bar represents the represents the inscription inscription "I.N.R.I“ placed above Jesus' placed above Jesus' headhead by the Roman by the Roman soldierssoldiers..

TThe slanted bar he slanted bar symbolizes the foot symbolizes the foot rest of Christ but it may rest of Christ but it may also symbolize St also symbolize St Andrew who was Andrew who was martyred in Greece and martyred in Greece and is one of the patron is one of the patron saints of Russia.saints of Russia.

Tradition tells us that St Peter was Tradition tells us that St Peter was executed in Rome under the Emperor executed in Rome under the Emperor Nero. He requested that he be Nero. He requested that he be crucified upside down as he did not crucified upside down as he did not believe himself worthy to die as Jesus believe himself worthy to die as Jesus did.did.

The St. Andrew's The St. Andrew's CrossCross..

Tradition Tradition tells us tells us thatthat the apostle the apostle Andrew Andrew chose to chose to be be crucified on a crucified on a cross unlike that cross unlike that of his Lord.of his Lord.

The Jerusalem or The Jerusalem or Crusader's CrossCrusader's Cross..This uThis ussuually has four ally has four small crosses small crosses between the arms, between the arms, the five crosses the five crosses symbolizing the five symbolizing the five wounds of our Lord. wounds of our Lord. 

This cross appeared This cross appeared in the heraldic in the heraldic designs of designs of Godfrey de Godfrey de BouillonBouillon the the first first crusader crusader ruler of ruler of JerusalemJerusalem in the 11 in the 11thth Century.Century.

The Lamb of God or The Lamb of God or Agnus Dei Symbol. Agnus Dei Symbol. This This represents the represents the risen Christ who risen Christ who triumphs over triumphs over deathdeath..

John the Baptist John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus proclaimed Jesus to be the Lamb of to be the Lamb of God who takes God who takes away the sin of the away the sin of the worldworld..

John 1:29John 1:29

The DoveThe Dove is a very is a very common symbol of common symbol of the Holy Spirit.the Holy Spirit.

In the Gospel we In the Gospel we read read that the Holy that the Holy Spirit descended on Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of Jesus in the form of a dove when he was a dove when he was baptised in the baptised in the River Jordan.River Jordan.

Matthew 3:16Matthew 3:16

Light symbolizes Christ Light symbolizes Christ present in the world. For this present in the world. For this symbol candles are often symbol candles are often used:used:

On the Altar.On the Altar.

To give emphasis to the Word To give emphasis to the Word of God.of God.

As a symbol in Baptism. As a symbol in Baptism.

In votive prayer.In votive prayer.

At Easter and at funerals to At Easter and at funerals to remind us of Jesus’ remind us of Jesus’ resurrection and his victory resurrection and his victory over death.over death.

Oil is a symbol of Jesus’ anointing and Oil is a symbol of Jesus’ anointing and a symbol of healing. Traditionally olive a symbol of healing. Traditionally olive oil is used.oil is used.

Chrism oil is blessed by the Bishop at Chrism oil is blessed by the Bishop at the Chrism Mass, usually held around the Chrism Mass, usually held around Holy Thursday.Holy Thursday.

The oils are used in the following The oils are used in the following sacraments.sacraments.

BaptismBaptism

ConfirmationConfirmation

Holy OrdersHoly Orders

Anointing of the SickAnointing of the Sick.

The white The white garment or garment or baptismal baptismal gown is a gown is a symbol of a symbol of a new life in new life in Christ. Christ.

The child has The child has become a new become a new creation, creation, clothed in clothed in Christ and the Christ and the white garment white garment is an outward is an outward sign of their sign of their Christian Christian dignity.dignity.

Symbols of the Holy Symbols of the Holy TrinityTrinity

Christians believe in One Christians believe in One God, the Father, Son and God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Many symbols Holy Spirit. Many symbols are used to represent the are used to represent the mystery of the Holy Trinity.mystery of the Holy Trinity.

Visual symbols have been Visual symbols have been helpful to explain the idea of helpful to explain the idea of a coequal and coeternal a coequal and coeternal God.God.

Alpha and omega Alpha and omega are the first and are the first and last letters of the last letters of the Greek alphabetGreek alphabet. .

This symbolizes This symbolizes the eternal nature the eternal nature of of JesusJesus.. Jesus is Jesus is God, without God, without beginning or end.beginning or end.

We also see this We also see this symbol on the symbol on the Easter or Paschal Easter or Paschal Candle. Candle.

Rev. 1:8Rev. 1:8

This symbol is commonly seen on the This symbol is commonly seen on the front of Altars.front of Altars.

There are two explanations of its There are two explanations of its meaning.meaning.

It could could stand for “Jesus the It could could stand for “Jesus the Saviour of Mankind” from the Latin Saviour of Mankind” from the Latin “Iesus Hominum Salvator”. It could also “Iesus Hominum Salvator”. It could also stand for the first three letters of Jesus’ stand for the first three letters of Jesus’ name written in Greek capital letters.name written in Greek capital letters.

I.N.R.I.N.R.

IIPontius Pilate ordered the Roman Pontius Pilate ordered the Roman soldiers to fix this sign at the top of soldiers to fix this sign at the top of Jesus’ cross. In Latin it reads:Jesus’ cross. In Latin it reads:

IesusIesus JesusJesus

NazarenusNazarenus Of NazarethOf Nazareth

RexRex KingKing

IudaeorumIudaeorum Of the Jews.Of the Jews.

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Kevin Havell.Kevin Havell.

kevinhavell@xtra.co.nzkevinhavell@xtra.co.nz