The '''Labarum''' (Greek: λάβαρον / láboron) was a Christian imperial standard employing incorporating the sacred '''"[[w:Chi Rho|Chi-Rho]]"''' [[w:Christogram|Christogram]], which was one of the earliest forms of christogram used by Christians, becoming one of the most familiar and widely used emblems in Chrisitan tradition. It was adapted by emperor Saint [[Constantine the Great]] after receiving his celestial vision and dream, on the eve of his victory at the [[w:Battle of the Milvian Bridge|Milvian Bridge]] in 313 AD.

It was designed by the Roman emperor The Labarum of [[Constantine the Great|Constantine I]] from his celestial vision and dream, on the eve of his victory at the was a [[w:Battle of the Milvian BridgeVexillum|Milvian Bridgevexillum]] in 313 AD. It was a <ref group="note">The [[w:Vexillum|vexillum]] (plural vexilla) was a military standard/(flag/, banner) used in the Classical Era of the Roman Empire. On the vexillum the cloth was draped from a horizontal crossbar suspended from the staff; this is unlike most modern flags in which the 'hoist' of the cloth is attached directly to the vertical staff. The bearer of a vexillum was known as a ''vexillarius''. The vexillum was a treasured symbol of the military unit that it represented and it was closely defended in combat.</ref> that displayed the "[[w:Chi Rho|Chi-Rho]]" [[w:Christogram|Christogram]], which was formed from the first two Greek letters of the word "[[Jesus Christ|Christ]]" (Greek: '''ΧΡ'''ΙΣΤΟΣ, or '''Χρ'''ιστός) — [[w:Chi (letter)|Chi]] (χ) and [[w:Rho (letter)|Rho]] (ρ). Fashioned after legionary standards, it substituted the form of a [[cross]] for the old pagan symbols, and was surmounted by a jewelled wreath of gold containing the monogram of Christ, intersecting '''Chi''' (χ) and '''Rho''' (ρ); upon this hung a [[w:Tyrian purple|rich purple]] banner,<ref group="note">Purple dye at this time was a rarity derived from a shellfish of the genus ''[[w:Murex|Murex]].'' [[w:Tyrian purple|Tyrian purple]] ((Greek, πορφύρα, porphyra, Latin: purpura), also known as royal purple, imperial purple) was prized by the Romans, who used it to colour ceremonial robes.</ref> beset with gold trim and profuse embroidery. The inscription ''' ''"Εν Τουτω Νικα"'' (''In Hoc Signo Vinces'') — "In this sign, being conquer" ''' was in all probability inscribed upon the actual standard, although [[Eusebius of Caesarea|Eusebius]] mentions that royal portraits of Constantine and his children were integrated.<ref group="note">These portraits could have been embroidered, or set as [[w:Phalera (military decoration)|medallions/roundels]] on the staff. Later, the name ''Labarum'' was given to variants of the original standard. An idea of some of the deviations in form of the standards furnished to different divisions of the army may be obtained from several coins of Constantine's reign that are still preserved. On one coin, for instance, the portraits of the emperor and his sons are represented on the actual banner (instead of as [[w:Phalera (military decoration)|medallions/roundels]] on the staff); on a second, the banner is inscribed with the Chi-Rho monogram, and surmounted by the equal-armed [[cross]] while the medallions/roundels of the earliest forms royal portraits, are on the shaft below the banner. ("[http://oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=Labarum Labarum]."'' '''Original Catholic Encyclopedia).'''</ref> St. [[Ambrose of Milan]] later wrote that the Labarum was [[Consecration of christogram used a church|consecrated]] by Christiansthe Name of [[Jesus Christ|Christ]].<ref>[[Ambrose of Milan]]. ''"Letter XL."'' '''St. Ambrose Selected Letters'''.</ref>

From 324 it was the official standard of the Roman Empire. Fashioned after legionary standards, it substituted the from of a [[cross]] for the old pagan symbols, surmounted by a jewelled wreath containing the monogram of Christ, intersecting '''Chi''' (χ) and '''Rho''' (ρ), on which hung a purple banner inscribed with ''' ''"Εν Τουτω Νικα"'' (''in hoc signo vinces'') — "In this sign, conquer." ''' As a new focal point for Roman unity, the monogram appeared on coins, shields, and later public buildings and churches.<ref>-----. ''"Labarum."'' In: J.D. Douglas and Earle E. Cairns (Eds.). '''The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church'''. 2nd ed.. Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. p.575.</ref>From 324 the Labarum with the "Chi-Rho" Christogram was the official standard of the Roman Empire.

==EtymologyOrigins==The etymology [[Image:Vexilloid of the Roman Empire.jpg|right|thumb|Modern reconstruction of a Roman [[w:Vexillum|vexillum]], emblazoned with [[w:SPQR|S·P·Q·R]] and the [[w:Late LatinAquila (Roman)|Roman Eagle]]. Emperor [[Constantine the Great|Late LatinConstantine]] word ''labarum'' is uncertainmodified the original banner, however it has been suggested that replacing the word descended from eagle with the Greek ''láboron'' (''λάβαρον'' Chi- Rho''laurel-leaf standardChristogram and the motto ''),<ref group="noteen touto nika">The similar Greek term ''('"Lavra"'in hoc signo vinces - IHSV'' has a different etymology). In Orthodox Christianity and certain other Eastern Christian communities ]]The ''LavraLabarum'' or ''Laura'' (Greek: Λαύρα; Cyrillic: Ла́вра) was originally meant a cluster of cells or caves for hermitsRoman military ensign, with which is described to have been a church and sometimes a refectory at more distinguished form of the center (for example, [[w:Agia LavraVexillum|Agia LavraVexillum]] monastery in Greece), or cavalry standard. The term originates from Ancient Greek, where it means "[[w:Vexilloid|vexilloid]] of the Roman Empire was a passage" or "an alley".</ref> which red banner with the letters [[w:SPQR|SPQR]] in turn renders the Latin ''Laureum Vexillum''Gold surrounded by a gold wreath, literally "laureled hung on a military standard".<ref>H. Grégoire, '' "L'étymologie de 'Labarum'" '' '''Byzantion''' 4 topped by the [[w:Aquila (1929:477-82Roman).</ref><ref>Kahane, Drs. Henry & Renée. ''"Contributions by Byzantinologists to Romance Etymology."'' '''RLiR''', XXVI |Roman eagle]] (1962), 126-39.</ref><ref>or an image of the goddess [[w:Alexander KazhdanVictoria (mythology)|Kazhdan, AlexanderVictoria]], ed.. ''Oxford Dictionary ) made of Byzantium.'' Oxford University Press, 1991. p.1167silver or bronze.</ref>

In That the ''Labarum'' dated its designation as the imperial standard from an early period of the empire, is confirmed by a colonial medal of [[w:Tiberius|Tiberius]] (dedicated to that Prince by ''Caesarea-Augusta'' (Saragozza)), on which may be discerned the form of that ensign. The Labarum is also to be found in the left hand of emperors; on some military figures; and on coins of Nero, Domitian, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, Septimius Severus, and other princes anterior to Constantine. Several colonial coins also show a vexillum or cavalry standard, resembling the Labarum, such as those from Acci, Antiochia Pisidiae, and Caesarea-Augusta.<ref>''[http://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=labarum Labarum].'' '''Numiswiki: The Collaborative Numismatics Project.)'''</ref>  Like the other standards, it was an object of religious veneration amongst the soldiers, who paid it divine honours. As an imperial standard, the labarum was only hoisted when the Emperor was with the army. ===Etymology===The etymology of the word ''labarum'' is uncertain, however it has been suggested that the word descended from the Greek ''láboron'' (''λάβαρον'' - ''laurel-leaf standard''),<ref group="note">The similar but slightly Greek term '''"Lavra"''' has a different conclusionetymology. In Orthodox Christianity and certain other Eastern Christian communities ''Lavra'' or ''Laura'' (Greek: Λαύρα; Cyrillic: Ла́вра) originally meant a cluster of cells or caves for hermits, with a church and sometimes a refectory at the center (for example, [[w:Agia Lavra|Agia Lavra]] monastery in Greece). The term originates from Ancient Greek, where it means "a passage" or "an alley".</ref> which in turn renders the Latin ''Laureum Vexillum'', literally "laureled standard".<ref>H. Grégoire, '' "L'étymologie de 'Labarum'" '' '''Byzantion''' 4 (1929:477-82).</ref><ref>Kahane, Drs. Henry & Renée. ''"Contributions by Byzantinologists to Romance Etymology."'' '''RLiR''', XXVI (1962), 126-39.</ref><ref>[[w:Alexander Kazhdan|Kazhdan, Alexander]], ed.. ''Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium.'' Oxford University Press, 1991. p.1167.</ref> The ''American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language'' (4th ed.) states that the word ''labarum'' is [[w:Late Latin|Late Latin]], probably being an alteration of the Greek ''labraton'' ("laurel-leaf standard"), which is itself derived from the Latin ''Laureatum'' (the neuter of ''Laureatus'' - "crowned/adorned with laurel").<ref>''"[http://www.thefreedictionary.com/labarums Labarum]".'' '''The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language,''' Fourth Edition, copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.</ref>

It is commonly stated that on the evening of October 27, 312, with his army preparing for the [[w:Battle of the Milvian Bridge|Battle of the Milvian Bridge]], the emperor [[Constantine the Great|Constantine I]] had a vision which led him to fight under the protection of the Christian [[God]]. The details of that vision, however, differ between the sources reporting it, namely those of Lactantius and [[Eusebius of Caesarea]].===Lactantius===[[w:Lactantius|Lactantius]] states<ref>Lactantius, ''[http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/lactantius.html On the Deaths of the Persecutors],'' chapter 44.5.</ref> that, in the night before the battle, Constantine was commanded in a dream to "delineate the heavenly sign on the shields of his soldiers". He obeyed and marked the shields with a sign "denoting Christ". Lactantius describes that sign as a "staurogram", or a Latin cross with its upper end rounded in a P-like fashion (i.e. a ''"[[w:Tau|Tau]]-[[w:Rho (letter)|Rho]]"'' Christogram).<ref group="note">Dr. Larry Hurtado has stated that contrary to some widely influential assumptions, this ''"[[w:Tau|Tau]]-[[w:Rho (letter)|Rho]]"'' staurogram appears to be the earliest of the Christograms, and not the more familiar ''"[[w:Chi Rho|Chi-Rho]]"''. He writes that the earliest extant Christian use of the ''"Tau-Rho"'' is not as a freestanding symbol and general reference to Christ, but in manuscripts dated as early as around 175-225 AD, where it functions as part of the abbreviation of the Greek words for "cross" (σταυρός) and "crucify" (σταυρόω), written (abbreviated) as ''[[w:Nomina sacra|nomina sacra]]''. (Hurtado, L.W. ''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=w5FpP9ZxqlYC&source=gbs_navlinks_s The Earliest Christian Artifacts: Manuscripts and Christian Origins].'' Cambridge, 2006. p.136.)</ref> ===Eusebius===From [[Eusebiusof Caesarea]], two accounts of the battle survive. The first, shorter one in the ''Ecclesiastical History'' leaves no doubt that God helped Constantine. In this version the emperor saw the vision in Gaul on his way to Rome, long before the battle with Maxentius: the phrase as he gives it was: '''"Εν τουτο νικα"''' — literally, '''"In this, win!"'''<ref>''[http://www.economicexpert.com/a/Labarum.html Labarum].'' '''EconomicExpert.com.'''</ref>

[[w:Lactantius|Lactantius]] statesIn Eusebius' later ''Life of Constantine'', Eusebius gives a detailed account of a vision and stresses that he had heard the story from the emperor himself.<refgroup="note">LactantiusOf the miracle, Eusebius wrote in the ''Vita''[http://orderofcenturionsthat 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.org"</documents/lactantius.html On ref> According to this version, Constantine with his army was marching somewhere<ref group="note">Eusebius doesn't specify the Deaths actual location of the Persecutors]event,but it clearly isn'' chapter 44.5t in the camp at Rome.</ref> that, in when he looked up to the night before the battle, Constantine was commanded in sun and saw a dream to '''"delineate the heavenly sign on the shields cross of his soldierslight". He obeyed ''' imposed above it, and marked with it, the shields with a sign Greek words: '''"[[w:In hoc signo vinces|Εν Τουτω Νικα]]"denoting Christ''' (Latin:''' ''in hoc signo vinces'' — ". Lactantius describes that In this sign as a "staurogram, conquer"'''). Not only Constantine, or a Latin cross with its upper end rounded in a P-like fashionbut the whole army saw the miracle. There is no certain evidence that Constantine ever used that signAt first he was unsure of the meaning of the apparition, rather than but the better known Chi-Rho sign described by following night he had a dream in which [[Eusebius of CaesareaJesus Christ|Christ]]explained to him that he should use the sign against his enemies.

From Eusebius, two accounts of then continues to describe the battle survive. The firstlabarum, shorter one in the ''Ecclesiastical History'' leaves no doubt that God helped military standard used by Constantine but doesn't mention any vision. In in his later wars against Licinius, showing the Chi-Rho sign.<ref>Gerberding and Moran Cruz, 55; cf. Eusebius, ''Life of Constantine'', Eusebius gives a detailed account of a vision and stresses that he had heard the story from the emperor himself. According to this version, Constantine with his army was marching somewhere</ref><ref group="note">Eusebius doesn't specify Among the many soldiers depicted on the actual location [[w:Arch of Constantine|Arch of Constantine]], which was erected just three years after the eventbattle, but it clearly isn't in the camp at Rome.</ref> when he looked up to labarum does not appear, nor is there any hint of the sun and saw a cross miraculous affirmation of light above itdivine protection that had been witnessed, and with it Eusebius maintains, by so many. Its inscription does say that the emperor had saved the Greek words: '''"[[w:In hoc signo vincesRes publica|Εν Τουτω Νικαres publica]]"''' INSTINCTU DIVINITATIS MENTIS MAGNITUDINE (Latin: "by greatness of mind and by instinct [or impulse] of divinity"). Which divinity is not identified, though ''in hoc signo vincesSol Invictus'' — "In the Invincible Sun (also identifiable in Apollo or Mithras) — is inscribed on Constantine's coinage at this sign, conquer")moment. (''[http://www.economicexpert. At first he was unsure of the meaning of the apparition, but the following night he had com/a dream in which Christ explained to him that he should use the sign against his enemies/Labarum. Eusebius then continues to describe the labarum, the military standard used by Constantine in his later wars against Licinius, showing the Chi-Rho signhtml Labarum].<ref>Gerberding and Moran Cruz, 55; cf. Eusebius, ''Life of Constantine'''EconomicExpert.com.''')</ref>

Historians contend that those two the accounts of Lactantius and Eusebius can hardly be reconciled with each other, though they have been merged in popular notion into Constantine seeing the Chi-Rho sign on the evening before the battle.

There is no certain evidence of the use of the letters chi and rho as a Christian sign ''before '' [[Constantine the Great|Constantine]]. Its first appearance is on a Constantinian silver coin from ca. 317, which proves that Constantine did use the sign at that time, though not very prominently.<ref>Smith, 104: "What little evidence exists suggests that in fact the labarum bearing the chi-rho symbol was not used before 317, when Crispus became Caesar..."</ref> He made extensive use of the Chi-Rho and the labarum only later in the conflict with Licinius.

In the course of Constantine's second war against Licinius in 324, the latter developed a superstitious dread of Constantine's standard. During the attack of Constantine's troops at the [[w:Battle of Adrianople (324)|Battle of Adrianople]] , the guard of the labarum standard were directed to move it to any part of the field where his soldiers seemed to be faltering. The appearance of this [[w:Talisman|talismanic ]] object appeared to embolden Constantine's troops and dismay those of Licinius.<ref>Odahl, p. 178.</ref> At the final battle of the war, the [[w:Battle of Chrysopolis|Battle of Chrysopolis]](324), Licinius, though prominently displaying the images of Rome's pagan pantheon on his own battle line, forbade his troops from actively attacking the labarum, or even looking at it directly.<ref>Odahl, p.180</ref>

Later usage has sometimes regarded the terms "labarum" and "Chi[[Image:Theotokos-Rho" as synonyms (iStandard.eJPG|thumb|right|Modern Orthodox Labarum. Embroidered icon of the labarum bearing the chi-rho symbol). Ancient sources however draw an unambiguous distinction between the two. For one thing this is because the "Chi-Rho" [[w:Christogram|ChristogramTheotokos]] with [[Christ]] and the "Labarum" were not originally synonyms; originally, the labarum being a type of [[w:VexillumDeesis|vexillumDeësis]], was a military standard used icon in the Classical Era of the Roman Empire, with a flag hanging from a horizontal crossbarlower panels; the Chi-Rho Christogram was only added above the flag surmounted by the Emperor [[Constantine the Great|Constantine Icross]] in the late Roman period. ]] In addition, Later usage came to regard the terms "Labarum" and "Chi-Rho" Christogram was not always used is connection with the imperial labarumas synonymous, but its use by Christians naturally evolved into a variety of formats, including its use on coins and medallions (minted during Constantine's reign and by subsequent rulers), on Christian sarcophagi and frescoes from about 350 AD, and became part of although ancient sources draw an unambiguous distinction between the official imperial insignia after Constantine. Eventually it also appeared on public buildings and churchestwo due to their separate origins.

A later Byzantine manuscript indicates that Christians' use of the sacred "Chi-Rho" Christogram naturally expanded into a jewelled labarum standard believed to have been that variety of [[other areas and formats as well. This included on coins and medallions (minted during Constantine the Great|Constantine]] was preserved for centuries's reign and by subsequent rulers, as an object becoming part of great veneration, in the official imperial treasury at [[Church of Constantinople|Constantinople]].<ref>Lieu and Montserrat p. 118. From a Byzantine life of insignia after Constantine (BHG 364) written in the mid to late ninth century.</ref> The labarum, with minor variations in its form, was widely used by the ; on Christian Roman emperors who followed Constantine Isarcophagi and frescoes from about 350 AD; and eventually appearing on public buildings and churches as well.

A later Byzantine manuscript indicates that a jewelled Labarum standard believed to have been that of [[Constantine the Great|Constantine the Great]] was preserved for centuries, as an object of great veneration, in the imperial treasury at [[Church of Constantinople|Constantinople]].<ref>Lieu and Montserrat p. 118. From a Byzantine life of Constantine (BHG 364) written in the mid to late ninth century.</ref> The Labarum, with minor variations in its form, was widely used by the Christian Roman emperors who followed Constantine. A miniature version of the labarum Labarum became part of the imperial regalia of [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] rulers, who were often depicted carrying it in their right hands.

In the Middle Ages the pastoral staff of a bishop often had attached to it a small purple scarf known as the vexillum, supposedly derived from the labarumLabarum.<ref>''"Labarum."'' '''Encyclopædia Britannica.''' Encyclopædia Britannica 2009 Ultimate Reference Suite. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2009.</ref> The Chi-Rho monogram is also found on Eucharistic vessels and lamps.<ref>-----. ''"Chi Rho (XP)."'' In: Steffler, Alva William. '''Symbols of the Christian Faith.''' Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2002. p.66.</ref>

In Greece, the "Holy Lavara" were a set of early national Greek flags, blessed by the [[Church of Greece|Greek Orthodox Church]]. Under these banners the Greeks united throughout the [[w:Greek War of Independence|Greek War of Independence]] (1821-32), a war of liberation waged against the Ottoman Empire.<ref group="note">The blessing of the standards recalls Constantine's use of the Labarum with the Chi-Rho Christogram before his battle with Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge, just over 1500 years earlier.</ref>

Today, the term "labarumLabarum" is generally used for any ecclesiastical banner, such as those carried in religious processions.<ref group="note">Some Protestant Christians (especially Restorationists) reject the use of Labarum Christogram due to its supposed pagan origins and lack of use by the earliest Christians. Supporters point out that use of the Labarum was in widespread use by Christians by the mid-fourth century, mostly on sarcophagi.</ref>

Image:Constantius II coin - IHSV.jpg|[[w:Constantius II|Constantius II]]. (350-351 AD). Inscribed with ''"HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS"'' (''In this sign, conquer''), and Constantius holding the Labarum (Chi-Rho Christogram standard), similar to Constantine's vision. Image:Double Centenionalis Magnentius-XR-s4017.jpg|Coin of [[w:Magnentius|Magnentius]] (350-353 AD) with a large Chi-Rho, showing the first apparent use of the [[w:Alpha and Omega|Alpha and Omega ]] flanking the Christogram.

Image:Monogram-of-christ384x389vatican.jpg|Monogram of [[Christ]]within a wreath, with including the Alpha and Omega symbols as part of the Chi-Rho monogram .<br>(Museo Pio Cristiano, Vatican, undated).  Image:Hinton St Mary Mosaic.jpg|The [[w:Hinton St Mary Mosaic|Hinton St Mary Mosaic]], mid 4th-c., featuring a portrait bust of [[Jesus Christ]] with the ''Chi-Rho'' symbol as its central motif. Image:JustinianStVitale.jpg|Mosaic of Emperor [[Justinian]] with his retinue, with the Labarum displayed on a soldier's shield. (Ravenna, before 547 AD).

Image:San Vitale in RavennaKellsFol034rChiRhoMonogram.jpg|Mosaic of Emperor The [[JustinianBook of Kells]] with his retinue, with Folio 34r, containing the Labarum displayed on a soldier's shieldChi-Rho Monogram (ca. (Ravenna, before 547 800 AD).

Image:KellsFol034rChiRhoMonogramBishop-Germanos-1821.jpg|The Bp. [[w:Book Germanos of KellsPatra|Book Germanos of KellsOld Patras]], Folio 34r, containing blessing the Chi-Rho Monogram Greek banner (ca. 800 ADLabaro / Λάβαρο)at [[w:Agia Lavra|Agia Lavra]] monastery, March 13, 1821.

Image:Bishop-Germanos-1821Wurzach St Verena Kirchenfahnen Taufstein.jpg|Bp. [[Germanos of Patra|Germanos of Old Patras]] blessing Modern ecclesiatical Labara from the Greek banner at Roman Catholic [[w:Agia LavraRot an der Rot Abbey|Agia LavraAbbey Church of St. Verena]] monastery, 25 March 1821Rot an der Rot, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Image:A z.jpg|Standard Chi-Rho standard on a Russian monastery, Jerusalem, Israel.

==Sourcesand further reading==

* Hassett, Maurice. ''"[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08717c.htm Labarum (Chi-Rho)]."'' '''The Catholic Encyclopedia.''' (New Advent). Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 4 Mar* Hurtado, L.W. 2010''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=w5FpP9ZxqlYC&source=gbs_navlinks_s The Earliest Christian Artifacts: Manuscripts and Christian Origins].'' Cambridge, 2006.

* [[w:Labarum|Labarum]] at WikipediaLieu, S.N.C and Montserrat, D. (Eds.). ''From Constantine to Julian.'' London, 1996.

* LieuSteffler, SAlva William.N''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=CiOLT8mkAQoC&source=gbs_navlinks_s Symbols of the Christian Faith].'' Wm. B.C and MontserratEerdmans Publishing Company, D2002. * [[w:William Smith (Edslexicographer)|Smith, Sir William]] and Samuel Cheetham (eds.). ''From Constantine to Julian"[http://books.google.ca/books?id=omMaAAAAYAAJ&source=gbs_navlinks_s Labarum]."'' '''A dictionary of Christian antiquities: Being a continuation of the ʻDictionary of the Bible', Volume 2.'' London' J. B. Burr, 19961880. pp.908-911.