Red Cross of Constantine

The Red Cross of Constantine is one of the earliest Christian symbols of Knighthood and was introduced by the Roman emperor Constantine I in the year 312. It originates from the labarum[1] which was a vexillum (military standard) that displayed the "Chi-Rho" symbol, formed from the first two Greek letters of the word "Christ" - Chi (χ) and Rho (ρ). Since the vexillum consisted of a flag suspended from the crossbar of a cross, it was ideally suited to symbolise crucifixion.

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him”

Isaiah 59:19

By tradition the Labarum was ordered to be carried before the legions of Constantine after he had a vision in the heavens of a "cross of light" and the Greek words EN TOUTO NIKA (conquer by this) and a subsequent nocturnal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ who told him to conquer under His sign. Constantine directed that a spear be covered in gold with a crosspiece representing a cross, and that the image of the chi-rho, the first two Greek initials in the name Christ, be placed above the crosspiece encircled by a crown/wreath. A banner hung from the crosspiece of imperial (Tyrian) purple and gold cloth. Constantine had this Labarum carried before his legions as he defeated a much larger pagan Roman force outside of Rome. He directed some of his men to place the chi-rho on their shields and he wore it on his helmet. Constantine selected 50 men, called the Praepositi Laberorum, to form a colour guard to protect the Labarum. Constantine later recognised these men and organised them into the Golden Chivalry - Torquati (so named for their gold collars) and Perfectissimi (Most Perfect Knights).

IHSV – In Hoc Signo Vinces

In hoc signo vinces is the rendition in Latin of the Greek phrase "ἐν τούτῳ νίκα", en toutōi nika, meaning "with this as your standard you shall have victory".

According to legend, Constantine I adopted this phrase, as a motto after his vision of a chi rho on the sky just before the Battle of Milvian Bridge against Maxentius in the year 312. In later periods the christogram "IHS" both stood for the first three letters of "Jesus" in Latinised Greek (Latinised IHSOVS) and "in hoc signo" from the legend.

The initials "IHSV" is thus taken from the Latin phrase "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES" (Under this Sign Conquer).

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labarum

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_hoc_signo_vinces

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_I

Дата добавления: 2015-07-17