Crucifix
The most common symbol is the crucifix. The crucifix is a cross with an image of Christ on it. The crucifix is the symbol of Christianity and of the death and resurrectionChristian belief that Jesus rose from the dead after the crucifixion; the rising from the dead of believers on the Last Day; the new, or risen, life of Christians. of Christ. For followers of the Christian faith it serves as a reminder of God鈥檚 sacrifice of his only Son so that humanity may have salvationHaving one鈥檚 sins forgiven and being granted eternal life..
Ichthus
The ichthus symbol in Greek letters spells out 鈥楯esus Christ, God鈥檚 Son, Saviour.鈥 The word is also a monogramA symbol or design of combined letters, which usually overlap., as ichthus is the Greek word for 'fish'.
In the early Church, when Christians were being persecuted, Christians would use the fish symbol as a secret sign symbolising to others that they were Christians. One person would draw one arc of the fish and if the other person was also a Christian, then they would draw the other arc. Anyone who was not a Christian would not recognise the symbol and so would not complete the image.
Chi-Rho
The Chi-Rho is another early Christian symbol. It takes the first two letters of the word Christ in Greek, namely Chi and Rho, and combines them to create a symbol called Chi-Rho. Chi is written as an X and Rho is written as a P in the Greek alphabet and the word for Christ is written as 围巍螜危韦螣危, which is pronounced Christos.
The symbol represents the belief that Jesus is the Christ, the anointed oneRefers to someone who has been chosen by God to carry out his works, usually used to refer to Jesus.. The Chi-Rho is seen in many places in a church, such as the:
- altarA table used for Eucharist, Mass, Lord鈥檚 Supper. Some denominations refer to it as a Holy Table or Communion Table.
- the priests' vestmentCeremonial or official garment.
- tabernacleIn Judaism, the portable shelter for the Ark of the Covenant, which held the laws given by God to Moses and was used by the Israelites during the Exodus. In Christianity, a cabinet on the altar in some churches that holds the sacrament (bread or host) for Holy Communion.
Alpha and Omega
AlphaFirst letter in the Greek alphabet and used to describe Jesus Christ. and OmegaLast letter in the Greek alphabet and used to describe Jesus Christ. are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet and during the time of Christ the phrase was used to describe something as complete.
In the book of Revelation, God refers to himself as the Alpha and Omega, and this title has also been used to describe Jesus.
The Alpha and Omega represent Jesus, as he is at the beginning of all things and will return at the end. Sometimes the Alpha and Omega are incorporated with the Chi-Rho.