Christological monogram

Photogallery

Christological monogram
Christological monogram
"Double register" sarcophagi

This relief constitutes the central portion of the front of a strigilated sarcophagus, cropped to a square shape by Bartolomeo Cavaceppi upon acquisition by the Christian Museum in 1757. The Christological monogram consists of the combination of the first two letters of the Greek name of Christ (X and P, chi-rho): its fortune, as a symbol of victory over death, is linked to a vision of the Emperor Constantine (306-337). The monogram spread among Christian faithful as a sign of recognition as well as a wish for the deceased, referring to Christ and to His Resurrection (forming the shape of a “cross” of the letter chi, adorned with gems). Also the letters alpha and omega, the first and the last of the Greek alphabet, are linked to this specifically funerary aspect; indeed, according to the book of the Apocalypse (22, 13), Christ is the beginning and end of everything, the divine Word at the moment of Creation and universal Judge on the final day.