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Labarum

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The '''Labarum''' (Greek: λάβαρον / láboron) was a Christian imperial standard 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.
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. 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]], 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, his Labarum substituted the form of a [[cross]] for the old pagan symbols, surmounted by a jewelled wreath of gold containing the monogram of Christ, intersecting '''Chi''' (χ) and '''Rho''' (ρ), on which hung a rich purple banner,<ref group="note">Purple dye at this time was a rarity derived from a shellfish of the genus ''Murex.''</ref> beset with gold trim and rich embroidery, 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>
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 "labarum" 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 already in widespread use by Christians by the mid-fourth century, mostly on sarcophagi.</ref>
==Gallery==
Image:Monogram-of-christ384x389vatican.jpg|Monogram of [[Christ]] within a wreath, including the Alpha and Omega.<br>(Museo Pio Cristiano, Vatican, undated).
Image:San Vitale in RavennaHinton 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:KellsFol034rChiRhoMonogram.jpg|The [[w:Book of Kells|Book of Kells]], Folio 34r, containing the Chi-Rho Monogram (ca. 800 AD).
Image:Bishop-Germanos-1821.jpg|Bp. [[Germanos of Patra|Germanos of Old Patras]] blessing the Greek banner (Labaro / Λάβαρο) at [[w:Agia Lavra|Agia Lavra]] monastery, 25 March 13, 1821.
Image:A z.jpg|Chi-Rho standard on a Russian monastery, Jerusalem, Israel.
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