Chi Rho

{{Short description|Symbol for Jesus Christ (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ)}} {{Distinguish|Chi-Ro|Chiro (disambiguation){{!}}Chiro|Kairos|Cairo}} {{other uses|Chi Rho (disambiguation)}}

thumb|right|236x236px|{{center|The Chi Rho symbol}}|class=skin-invert-image The '''Chi Rho''' ('''☧''', English pronunciation {{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|aɪ|_|ˈ|r|oʊ}} {{respell|KY|ROH}}; also known as ''chrismon''<ref>From a supposed Middle Latin ''crismon''), specifically applied to the "Chrismon of Saint Ambrose" in Milan Cathedral. [http://ducange.enc.sorbonne.fr/CRISMON Crismon] (par les Bénédictins de St. Maur, 1733–1736), in: du Cange, et al., ''Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis'', ed. augm., Niort: L. Favre, 1883‑1887, t. 2, col. 621b. "CRISMON, Nota quæ in libro ex voluntate uniuscujusque ad aliquid notandum ponitur. Papias in MS. Bituric. Crismon vel Chrismon proprie est Monogramma Christi sic expressum ☧"; [http://ducange.enc.sorbonne.fr/CHRISMON1 1 chrismon] (par les Bénédictins de St. Maur, 1733–1736), in: du Cange, et al., ''Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis'', ed. augm., Niort : L. Favre, 1883‑1887, t. 2, col. [http://media.enc.sorbonne.fr/ducange/jpg/C/318c.jpg 318c] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826232139/http://media.enc.sorbonne.fr/ducange/jpg/C/318c.jpg |date=2016-08-26 }}.</ref>) is one of the earliest forms of the Christogram, formed by superimposing the first two (capital) letters—chi and rho ('''ΧΡ''')—of the Greek {{lang|grc|'''ΧΡ'''ΙΣΤΟΣ}} (<small>rom:</small> Christos) in such a way that the vertical stroke of the rho intersects the center of the chi.<ref>{{harvnb|Steffler|2002|p=66}}.</ref>

The Chi Rho symbol was used by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (r. 306–337 AD) as part of a military standard (vexillum). Constantine's standard was known as the Labarum. Early symbols similar to the Chi Rho were the Staurogram (12px|class=skin-invert-image) and the IX monogram (20px|class=skin-invert-image). When flanked by the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, Alpha and Omega<ref>These letters reference Christ's declaration [https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=I+am+the+alpha+and+the+omega&version=NIV "I am the Alpha and the Omega"] in the Book of Revelation</ref>, the symbol spells Ᾰ̓́ΡΧⲰ (<small>rom:</small> archo), "I rule".<ref>{{YouTube|id=x_k86Yf-jGw|t=38s|"Tour of an Orthodox Church" by Archimandrite Philip}}</ref>

Although formed of Greek characters, the device (or its separate parts) is frequently found serving as an abbreviation in Latin text, with endings added appropriate to a Latin noun, thus ''XPo'', signifying ''Christo'', "to Christ", the dative form of ''Christus'',<ref>For example as inscribed on the monumental brass of Thomas de Camoys, 1st Baron Camoys (d.1421) in St George's Church, Trotton, Sussex, England</ref> or ''{{lang|grc|χρ̅icola}}'', signifying ''Christicola'', "Christian", in the Latin lyrics of ''Sumer is icumen in''.

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[[File:Missorium Kerch.jpg|thumb|200px|Missorium depicting Emperor Constantine the Great's son Constantius II accompanied by a guardsman with the Chi Rho depicted on his shield (at left, behind the horse)]]

== Origin and adoption == === Usage before Christianity=== In pre-Christian times, the Chi-Rho symbol was used to mark a particularly valuable or relevant passage in the margin of a page, abbreviating ''chrēston'' (good).<ref>{{harvnb|Southern|2001|p=281}}; {{harvnb|Grant|1998|p=142, citing Bruun, ''Studies in Constantinian Numismatics''}}.</ref> Some coins of Ptolemy III Euergetes (r. 246–222 BC) were marked with a Chi-Rho.<ref>{{harvnb|von Reden|2007|p=69}}: "The ''chi-rho'' series of Euergetes' reign had been the most extensive series of bronze coins ever minted, comprising eight denominations from 1 ''chalkous'' to 4 obols."</ref> [[File:Monnaie - Bronze, Alexandrie, Égypte, Ptolémée III Évergète - btv1b84873207 (2 of 2).jpg|thumb|Coin minted during reign of Ptolemy III Euergetes in Egypt (from 246 BC to 222 BC). Chi Rho visible between bird's claws.]]

=== In Christianity === According to Lactantius,<ref>Lactantius. ''On the Deaths of the Persecutors'', Chapter 44.</ref> a Latin historian of North African origins saved from poverty by the Emperor Constantine the Great (r. 306–337), who made him tutor to his son Crispus, Constantine had dreamt of being ordered to put a "heavenly divine symbol" ({{langx|la|coeleste signum dei}}) on the shields of his soldiers. The description of the actual symbol chosen by Emperor Constantine the next morning, as reported by Lactantius, is not very clear: it closely resembles a Tau-Rho or a staurogram (12px|class=skin-invert-image), a similar Christian symbol. That very day Constantine's army fought the forces of Maxentius and won the Battle of the Milvian Bridge (312), outside Rome. alt=chi rho on a coin of Crispus c. 326|thumb|This coin of Crispus, son of Constantine, with a chi rho on the shield (struck {{Circa|326}}) shows that the symbol mentioned by Lactantius and Eusebius was a chi rho. [[File:Konstantin den stores labarum, Nordisk familjebok.png|thumb|right|Emperor Constantine the Great's labarum, a standard incorporating the wreathed Chi-Rho, from an antique silver medal.|class=skin-invert-image]]

Eusebius of Caesarea (died in 339) gave two different accounts of the events. In his church history, written shortly after the battle, when Eusebius had not yet had contact with Constantine, he does not mention any dream or vision, but compares the defeat of Maxentius (drowned in the Tiber) to that of the biblical pharaoh and credits Constantine's victory to divine protection. [[File:Labarum of the Roman Empire (simple).png|thumb|Labarum with the Chi Rho.]] In a memoir of the Roman emperor that Eusebius wrote after Constantine's death (''On the Life of Constantine'', {{circa|337}}–339), a miraculous appearance is said to have come in Gaul long before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. In this later version, the Roman emperor had been pondering the misfortunes that befell commanders who invoked the help of many different gods, and decided to seek divine aid in the forthcoming battle from the One God. At noon, Constantine saw a cross of light imposed over the sun. Attached to it, in Greek characters, was the saying "Εν τούτῳ Νίκα!" ("In this, conquer!").<ref>The well known sentence In hoc signo vinces is simply a later Latin translation of Eusebius's Greek wording.</ref> Not only Constantine, but the whole army saw the miracle. That night, Christ appeared to the Roman emperor in a dream and told him to make a replica of the sign he had seen in the sky, which would be a sure defence in battle.

Eusebius wrote in the ''Vita'' that Constantine himself had told him this story "and confirmed it with oaths" late in life "when I was deemed worthy of his acquaintance and company." "Indeed", says Eusebius, "had anyone else told this story, it would not have been easy to accept it."

Eusebius also left a description of the labarum, the military standard which incorporated the Chi-Rho sign, used by Emperor Constantine in his later wars against Licinius.<ref>Eusebius Pamphilius: ''Church History'', ''Life of Constantine'', ''Oration in Praise of Constantine'', Chapter 31.</ref>

[[File:Chrismon Sancti Ambrosii.jpg|thumb|The so-called "Chrismon of Saint Ambrose" (''Chrismon Sancti Ambrosii''), on display on the eastern wall of Milan Cathedral, a Chi-Rho combined with Alpha and Omega in a circle. According to Landulf of Milan (12th century), it was used by Saint Ambrose to introduce the catechumens to the mysteries of the Christian faith (whence it was called "oracle" or ''chresmos'' of St. Ambrose, written by Landulf as ''crismon'', whence the later Neo-Latin term for the Chi-Rho symbol).<ref>Kenelm Henry Digby, ''Mores Catholici, Or, Ages of Faith'' vol. 1 (1844), [https://books.google.com/books?id=X-UQAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA300 p. 300].</ref><ref>A. L. Millin, ''Voyage dans le Milanais'' (1817), [https://books.google.com/books?id=51ZCAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA51 p. 51].</ref>]]

== Later usage == {{See also|Resurrection of Jesus in Christian art}}

=== Late antiquity ===

An early visual representation of the connection between the Crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection, seen in the 4th century sarcophagus of Domitilla in Rome, the use of a wreath around the Chi-Rho symbolizes the victory of the Resurrection over death.<ref>{{harvnb|Harries|2004|p=8}}. Sarcophagus with Scenes of the Passion (probably from the Catacomb of Domitilla), Rome, mid-fourth century. Marble, 23ʺ x 80ʺ. Museo Pio Christiano, Vatican, Rome.</ref>

After Constantine, the Chi-Rho became part of the official imperial insignia. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence demonstrating that the Chi-Rho was emblazoned on the helmets of some Late Roman soldiers. Coins and medallions minted during Emperor Constantine's reign also bore the Chi-Rho. By the year 350, the Chi-Rho began to be used on Christian sarcophagi and frescoes. The usurper Magnentius appears to have been the first to use the Chi-Rho monogram flanked by Alpha and Omega, on the reverse of some coins minted in 353.<ref>{{harvnb|Kellner|1968|p=57ff}}. See also {{harvnb|Grigg|1977|p=469 (Note #4)}}.</ref> In Roman Britannia, a tesselated mosaic pavement was uncovered at Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, in 1963. On stylistic grounds, it is dated to the 4th century; its central roundel represents a beardless male head and bust draped in a ''pallium'' in front of the Chi-Rho symbol, flanked by pomegranates, symbols of eternal life. Another Romano-British Chi-Rho, in fresco, was found at the site of a villa at Lullingstone (illustrated). The symbol was also found on Late Roman Christian signet rings in Britain.<ref>{{harvnb|Johns|1996|p=67}}.</ref>

In 2020, archaeologists discovered in Vindolanda in northern England a 5th-century chalice covered in religious iconography, including the Chi-Rho.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/29/hadrians-wall-dig-reveals-oldest-christian-graffiti-on-chalice|title=Hadrian's Wall dig reveals oldest Christian graffiti on chalice|date=29 August 2020|work=theguardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://archaeology.org/news/2020/08/31/200831-vindolanda-christian-chalice/|title=Early Christian Chalice Unearthed in Northern England|date=31 August 2020|work=archaeology.org}}</ref>

=== Insular Gospel books === In Insular Gospel books, the beginning of Matthew 1:18, at the end of his account of the genealogy of Christ and introducing his account of the life, so representing the moment of the Incarnation of Christ, was usually marked with a heavily decorated page, where the letters of the first word "Christi" are abbreviated and written in Greek as "XPI", and often almost submerged by decoration.<ref>In the Latin Vulgate the verse was "Christi autem generatio sic erat cum esset desponsata mater eius Maria Ioseph antequam convenirent inventa est in utero habens de Spiritu Sancto" ("Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit")</ref> Though the letters are written one after the other and the "X" and "P" not combined in a monogram, these are known as Chi-Rho pages.

Famous examples are in the Book of Kells and Book of Lindisfarne.<ref>{{harvnb|Lewis|1980|pp=142–143}}.</ref> The "X" was regarded as the ''crux decussata'', a symbol of the cross; this idea is found in the works of Isidore of Seville and other patristic and Early Medieval writers.<ref>{{harvnb|Lewis|1980|pp=143–144}}.</ref> The Book of Kells has a second Chi-Rho abbreviation on folio 124 in the account of the Crucifixion of Christ,<ref>{{harvnb|Lewis|1980|p=144}}.</ref> and in some manuscripts the Chi-Rho occurs at the beginning of Matthew rather than mid-text at Matthew 1:18. In some other works like the Carolingian Godescalc Evangelistary, "XPS" in sequential letters, representing "Christus" is given a prominent place.<ref>{{harvnb|Lewis|1980|p=153}}.</ref>

==In Unicode== The Chi Rho symbol has two Unicode codepoints: * {{unichar|2627|Chi Rho}} in the Miscellaneous symbols block and * {{unichar|2CE9|Coptic symbol Khi Ro}} in the Coptic block.

== Gallery == <gallery class="center" widths="150" heights="150"> File:Sculpture en pierre, Pavillon des Antiquités du Musée National des Antiquités d'Alger - 10.jpg|The symbol in the middle of the circle, National Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Art, Algiers. File:Sculpture en pierre, Pavillon des Antiquités du Musée National des Antiquités d'Alger - 07.jpg|The symbol at the top of the rock, National Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Art, Algiers. File:Rom, Calixtus-Katakomben, Steintafel mit Christussymbol "Chi Rho".jpg|The Chi-Rho symbol <big>☧</big>, Catacombs of San Callisto, Rome. File:Chrisme Colosseum Rome Italy.jpg|Monogramme of Christ (the Chi Rho) on a plaque of a sarcophagus, 4th-century AD, marble, Musei Vaticani, on display in a temporary exhibition at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy File:Rom, Domitilla-Katakomben, Steintafel mit Christussymbol chi rho.jpg|The Chi-Rho symbol <big>☧</big>, Catacombs of Domitilla, Rome. File:Rom, Domitilla-Katakomben, Steintafel mit Inschrift, Alpha und Omega und Christussymbol Chi Rho.jpg|The Chi-Rho symbol <big>☧</big> with Alpha and Omega, Catacombs of Domitilla, Rome. File:Contantinople Christian sarcophagus circa 400.jpg|Constantinople Christian sarcophagus with XI monogram, {{Circa|400}}. File:Anastasis Pio Christiano Inv31525.jpg|The Chi-Rho with a wreath symbolizing the victory of the Resurrection, above Roman soldiers, {{circa|350}}. File:Chi-rho mensa Louvre Ma 3023.jpg|Chi-Rho on a 4th-century altar, Khirbet Um El’Amad, Algeria. File:Christogramvormig beslag in brons, 375 tot 450 NC, vindplaats- Neerharen-Rekem, 1982, Germaanse nederzetting, afvalkuil 7, collectie Gallo-Romeins Museum Tongeren, 81.NE.023.jpg|Roman Chi Rho applique in bronze from a Germanic settlement in Neerharen (Belgium), 375-450 AD, Gallo-Roman Museum (Tongeren) File:Vingerring met christogram in zilver, 300 tot 400 NC, vindplaats- Tongeren, noordoostgrafveld, Jaminéstraat, 1982, zone A, graf 21, collectie Gallo-Romeins Museum Tongeren, 82.H.1.jpg|Silver ring with Chi Rho symbol found at a Christian burial site in Late Roman Tongeren (Belgium), 4th century AD, Gallo-Roman Museum (Tongeren) File:ChristianPendantMaria398-407.JPG|Christian pendant of Maria (398–407), wife of the Emperor Honorius (r. 395–423), with text in the shape of a Chi-Rho, Louvre. File:Hinton St Mary.jpg|Roman Christian mosaic with Chi-Rho, Hinton St. Mary, England. File:Galicia - Quiroga Chi Rho.jpg|Christian Chi-Rho on a 5th-century marble table, Quiroga, Galicia. File:Lullingstone paintings2.jpg|Reconstruction of Chi-Rho fresco from Roman villa at Lullingstone, including Alpha and Omega. File:SarcophagusSoissonFrance6thCentury.jpg|Sarcophagus with Chi-Rho symbol and Alpha and Omega, 6th century, Soissons, France File:KellsFol034rChiRhoMonogram.jpg|Folio 34r of the Book of Kells is the Chi Rho page, expanding the first two letters of the word ''Christ''. File:‘Majestas Domini’ uit het Evangeliarium van Godescalc.jpg|Sequential "XPS" in the Carolingian Godescalc Evangelistary. File:Attic San Giovanni in Laterano 2006-09-07 n1.jpg|Chi-Rho on the roof of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Rome. File:BentoXVI-44-11052007.jpg|Chi-Rho and Alpha and Omega on a modern Catholic altar. File:Otr-ymca-detail.jpg|Chi-Rho on YMCA building, Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati, Ohio. File:Ceremony of consecration of the Main temple 22.jpg|Chi-Rho and Alpha and Omega in the Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces File:Basilica of the Annunciation Nazareth 290314 06.jpg|A Chi Rho with the Alpha and Omega near the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. File:Nis Coat of Arms.png|Chi-Rho symbol can be seen on the coat of arms of Niš, city in Serbia and the birthplace of Constantine the Great </gallery>

== References == '''Notes''' {{reflist}}

'''Bibliography''' {{refbegin|2}} * {{cite book|last=Grant|first=Michael|title=The Emperor Constantine|location=London, United Kingdom|publisher=Phoenix Giant|year=1998|isbn=0-7538-0528-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9HvYGwAACAAJ}} * {{cite journal|last=Grigg|first=Robert|title="Symphōnian Aeidō tēs Basileias": An Image of Imperial Harmony on the Base of the Column of Arcadius|journal=The Art Bulletin|volume=59|issue=4|date=December 1977|pages=469–482|doi=10.2307/3049702|jstor=3049702}} * {{cite book|last=Harries|first=Richard|title=The Passion in Art|location=Burlington, Vermont|publisher=Ashgate Publishing Company|year=2004|isbn=0-7546-5011-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BKM_M7iu4KUC}} * {{cite book|last=Johns|first=Catherine|title=The Jewellery of Roman Britain: Celtic and classical Traditions|location=Oxon, United Kingdom|publisher=Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group)|year=1996|isbn=1-85728-566-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8ANAHTp1xMIC}} * {{cite book|last=Kellner|first=Wendelin|title=Libertas und Christogramm: Motivgeschichtliche Untersuchungen zur Münzprägung des Kaisers Magnentius (350-353)|location=Karlsruhe, Germany|publisher=Verlag G. Braun|year=1968|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bExmAAAAMAAJ|language=de}} * {{cite journal|last=Lewis|first=Suzanne|title=Sacred Calligraphy: The Chi Rho Page in the Book of Kells|journal=Traditio|volume=36|year=1980|pages=139–159|publisher=Cambridge University Press|jstor=27831075|doi=10.1017/S0362152900009235|s2cid=151747754 }} * {{cite book|last=Southern|first=Pat|title=The Roman Empire from Severus to Constantine|location=New York, New York and London, United Kingdom|publisher=Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group)|year=2001|isbn=0-415-23943-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3ZWY93Bph9EC}} * {{cite book|last=Steffler|first=Alva William|title=Symbols of the Christian Faith|location=Grand Rapids, Michigan and Cambridge, United Kingdom|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing|year=2002|isbn=0-8028-4676-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CiOLT8mkAQoC}} * {{cite book|last=von Reden|first=Sitta|title=Money in Ptolemaic Egypt: From the Macedonian Conquest to the End of the Third Century BC|location=Cambridge, United Kingdom|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2007|isbn=978-0-521-85264-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zIVw7l34fHkC}} {{refend|2}}

'''Further reading''' {{refbegin}} * {{cite journal|last=Heiland|first=Fritz|title=Die astronomische Deutung der Vision Kaiser Konstantins|journal=Sondervortrag Im Zeiss-Planatarium-Jena|year=1948|pages=11–19}} * {{cite journal|last=Latura|first=George|title=Plato's Visible God: The Cosmic Soul Reflected in the Heavens|journal=Religions|volume=3|issue=3|year=2012|pages=880–886|doi=10.3390/rel3030880|doi-access=free}} * {{cite book|last1=Rahner|first1=Hugo|translator1-last=Battershaw|translator1-first=Brian|title=Greek Myths and Christian Mystery|location=New York, New York|publisher=Biblo & Tannen Booksellers and Publishers Incorporated|year=1971|isbn=0-8196-0270-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N8XAF-JE6PAC}} {{refend}}

== External links == * {{Commons category-inline|Chi Rho}} * {{cite web |url= https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/301-600/constantine-triumphed-under-sign-of-cross-11629641.html |website= christianity.com |title= Constantine Triumphed under Sign of Cross }}

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