What Does This Symbol Mean?

[oiccic]

what does the X over a P mean. i think i have hear it called and "expolotos" (sp?) is that right? thanks
tom

[dUSt]

I think you might be referring to the Chi-Rho, also called the Labarum. If so, it's a symbol of Jesus Christ, as it represents His name in Greek. I've attached an image of one variation of the Chi-Rho to be clear on what we're referring to.

[img]http://www.isymbolz.com/spiritual/crosses/cr016-chi-rho.jpg[/img]

More information regarding the symbol can be found here:
[url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08717c.htm"]http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08717c.htm[/url]

I'm unfamiliar with the term "expolotos", as I've never heard that before. Hope this helps!

[cappie]

The superimposed Greek letters [i]chi[/i] and [i]rho[/i], are the first two letters of the Greek [i]Christos[/i] and form a popular acronym or Christo-gram for the Lord. It has been widly used with variations in shape since the fourth Century

[Carson Weber]

Also, if you ever see "IHS", this is a combination of the first three leters of the Holy Name of Jesus in Greek: iota, eta, sigma. The Greek letter "eta" looks like an "h".

[i]IESUS[/i]

"IHS" became popular largely through the preaching ministry of St. Bernadine of Siena as the Chi-Rho was popularlized in the tradition of Constantine.

[Pontifex]

Carson,

Just a side point, was it not St. Ignatius of Loyola who popularized the use of "IHS"? I must research this again. Good points though.

Fr. Pontifex

[Carson Weber]

Father,

Saint Ignatius (AMDG!) may have helped in the promulgation (his cannon ball injury occurred in 1521), but it was first popularized by St. Bernardine of Siena (d. 1444) and St. John Capistrano (d. 1456), Italian preachers.

See [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07421a.htm"]http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07421a.htm[/url]

[BLAZEr]

Woah! Church scholar discussion. Heavy!


It is my understanding from my Catholic Trads class in college that IHS was first used commonly by Constantine. I remember learning that the Cross was emblazoned on a shield with the letters IHS emblazoned over it which represented the words Constantine heard in a dream while seeing a cross: "In Hoc Signo Vinces" which means "By This Sign You Will Conquer"

It was also significant because IHS were like the first three greek letters of Jesus' name.

[cappie]

St. Bernardine of Siena (d. 1444) and St. John Capistrano (d. 1456), were [u][b]Franciscans[/b][/u] of course!!!!!!!!

Both promoted devotion to the Holy Name

Not that I am biased!!!!

[Carson Weber]

BLAZEr,

The explanation involving Constantine is addressed in the Catholic Encyclopedia in this way:

"The emblem or monogram representing the Holy Name of Jesus consists of the three letters: IHS. In the Middle Ages the Name of Jesus was written: IHESUS; the monogram contains the first and last letter of the Holy Name. It is first found on a gold coin of the eight century: DN IHS CHS REX REGNANTIUM (The Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings). Some erroneously say that the three letters are the initials of: "Jesus Hominum Salvator" (Jesus Saviour of Men). The Jesuits made this monogram the emblem of their Society, adding a cross over the H and three nails under it. Consequently a new explanation of the emblem was invented, pretending that the nails originally were a "V", and that the monogram stands for "In Hoc Signo Vinces" (In This Sign you shall Conquer), the words which, according to a legendary account, Constantine saw in the heavens under the Sign of the Cross before the battle at the Milvian bridge (312)."

I saw that in your profile in the [i]Who Answers These Questions[/i] section, you're a youth minister in Brenham, Texas. I love Blue Bell ice cream & when I was an undergraduate at Texas A&M, I visited the factory with some students in a small research group for a Data Management class, and we were given a personal tour down on the floor. It was very cool (literally)!

cappie,

Can I just say that I love the Franciscan charism?

I will never forget my visits to Assisi and Padua in 2001.

My favorite place to pray is the "Port" (short for "Portiuncula") on the Franciscan University of Steubenville campus, which is a replica of the original chapel St. Francis and his brothers gathered in (and is now housed by a Basilica, built around it outside of Assisi in the valley below), and my time spent there before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament has been tremendously powerful in my spiritual life.