what does this symbol mean?

[d0c markus]

Cristow

I know those are the first 2 greek letters in the word Christ. Can someone give me background of this symbol?

 

[Lioness816]

sorry, I don't know...

 

[Father Gregory]

The Greek letter "Kai" (X) sounds the "Ch" in "Christos," and the Greek letter "Rho" (P) sounds the letter "r" in "Christos."

 

[d0c markus]

The Greek letter "Kai" (X) sounds the "Ch" in "Christ," and the Greek letter "Rho" (P) sounds the letter "r" in "Christ."

There is no special name for this symbol, its simply that?

 

[Father Gregory]

It's called the Kai-Rho or Chi-Rho. It's a very ancient Christian symbol ... as old as the fish. Sometimes you also see IHS ... which stands for Jesus. I can't type the Greek out here but basically, the I is for J the H is for AY and the S if for, well, S!

 

[d0c markus]

gotcha... thanks

 

[Monica02]

This is where the "X" in Christmas comes from, although I doubt if anyone makes the association anymore. I think the men in seminary use the kairo as a shorthand for Christ when they are taking notes.

 

[Monica02]

The symbol was on Constantines imperial standard, although the symbol itself was much older.

 

[NicodemusPrime]

I can't type the Greek out here but basically, the I is for J the H is for AY and the S if for, well, S!

Αα Ββ Γγ Δδ Εε Ζζ Ηη Θθ Ιι Κκ Λλ Μμ Νν Ξξ Οο Ππ Ρρ Σσς Ττ Υυ Φφ Χχ Ψψ Ωω

-Just make them in a word processor like MS Word and then copy/paste.

 

[ZiSunka]

Chi (X) and Rho (P) are the first two letters of the Greek word Christ (XPICTOC). Early Christians, through fear of persecution, devised the secret symbol as a means of recognition. In the 4th Century, on the eve of a battle, the Roman Emporer Constantine saw the Chi Rho in the stars and viewed its appearance as an omen. He ordered his army to emblazon their standards with the symbol. The next day, Constantine defeated Maxentius in battle. In thanksgiving, Constantine rescinded the ban on Christianity in the Roman Empire.

It's also used by one gay/lesbian group as a symbol:
Chi Rho Press, Inc., is a publishing house serving the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered community, providing books and other resources to nourish the spiritual and religious aspects of our lives. Chi Rho Press was commissioned in 1990 as a Special Work of the Mid-Atlantic District of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC). We are now a non-profit, 501(c)(3) member organization of the UFMCC. Your contributions through our Guardian Angel Individual Sponsor program are tax-deductible.

 

[d0c markus]

Αα Ββ Γγ Δδ Εε Ζζ Ηη Θθ Ιι Κκ Λλ Μμ Νν Ξξ Οο Ππ Ρρ Σσς Ττ Υυ Φφ Χχ Ψψ Ωω

-Just make them in a word processor like MS Word and then copy/paste.

CF has greek font

 

[d0c markus]

It's also used by one gay/lesbian group as a symbol:
Chi Rho Press, Inc., is a publishing house serving the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered community, providing books and other resources to nourish the spiritual and religious aspects of our lives. Chi Rho Press was commissioned in 1990 as a Special Work of the Mid-Atlantic District of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC). We are now a non-profit, 501(c)(3) member organization of the UFMCC. Your contributions through our Guardian Angel Individual Sponsor program are tax-deductible.

Blasphemous...

 

[ZiSunka]

Blasphemous...

I was shocked when I saw it.

 

[bleechers]

Well, the intent is blasphemous, but since the scripture never gave us the "Chi-Rho" (or the fish for that matter) it is merely an earthly, man-made symbol.

I use Xmas all the time. Watch this December... they'll be another dozen Christian articles handwringing over the use of Xmas. Well, just as there is no "Christmas" in the Bible, there is no "Xmas". The "X" in Xmas was originally used to show reverence for Christ by keeping the title holy by substituting the Chi (X) for Christ.

But, in the end, this is all just human tradition and another rabbit trail. That's not to besmirch the OP, it's a legitimate question. My comments are really about the use of symbols not found in scripture.

 

[GreenEyedLady]

Well, the intent is blasphemous, but since the scripture never gave us the "Chi-Rho" (or the fish for that matter) it is merely an earthly, man-made symbol.

Scripture also never gave us the cross to use as a symbol!
Ohhhhhhhhh you know, this could turn out VERY intresting!!!!!!

GEL

 

[bleechers]

Scripture also never gave us the cross to use as a symbol!
Ohhhhhhhhh you know, this could turn out VERY intresting!!!!!!

GEL

I didn't want to go there... but you're right!

The cross (or any other symbol) should never go beyond just being a "symbol". When a cross is deemed to have some sort of power (good luck, protection, ward off demons, etc.), then it has become a snare.

I can take it or leave it.

 

[d0c markus]

drat... no wonder I havent been able to exocise any demons!

 

[P_G]

Scripture also never gave us the cross to use as a symbol!
Ohhhhhhhhh you know, this could turn out VERY intresting!!!!!!

GEL

HI there! Friendly Messianic Reminder that we do have a few holidays and
symbols that ARE mentioned in the Bible!

Is everyone having a good Succoth?


I love you Bleechers and GEL!


Blessings from your favorite Messianic Mennonite!

PG

Pssst (There are at least 3 of us on this board!)

 

[bleechers]

Good Point, Pastor George... as a devout dispensationalist, I believe that the feasts are of great significance in prophetic terms. They speak of Christ and give us a wonderful picture of the history of both redemption and the Jewish nation.

Just some clarification for the Goyim:

But they were never given to the church. The Sabbath was never given to the church. The feasts and sabbaths (plural) are shadows (types) but Christ is the reality.

Paul even states that if one is observing such things (not just historically, but as an obligation) then there is some concern as to whether the observer has understood the gospel. I am not accusing anyone of that, I just wanted to clarify for the board's sake.

As a former filthy dog gentile (in the church there is neither Jew nor Gentile), I can attest that we were never given either the Law or the sabbaths or the feasts. When I came to Christ, I was not put under the Law.

So, whereas I love to study the feasts, I do not feel compelled to "observe" them. Anyway, even if I wanted to, there's a little thing called the Temple that's kinda missing at the moment... but its coming ... which would make truly observing a certain feast impossible.

For the record, my avatar came from a Jewish site about the Passover. But as I note, Christ is our passover, sacrificed for us, therefore let us join the feast (well, Paul noted it before I did, but you get the idea)!

 

[Sephania]

Passover is part of the Law.