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The '''Labarum''' (Greek: λάβαρον / láboron) was a Christian imperial standard employing the sacred '''"[[w:Chi Rho|Chi-Rho]]"''' [[w:Christogram|Christogram]], which was one of the earliest forms of christogram used by Christians. It was adopted by Roman 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.
The Labarum of [[Constantine the Great]] was a [[w:Vexillum|vexillum]]<ref group="note">The [[w:Vexillum|vexillum]] (plural vexilla) was a military standard (flag, banner) used in the Classical Era of the Roman Empire. In 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]], 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 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 with gold trim , 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>