Christograms

Christograms

Byzantine coin from 1028 - 2-sided. I side Christ with Bible - other side IS XS

His abbreviations/monograms that refer to Christ. An abbreviation is a Christogram if it contains the name Christ.

They were not abbreviations because people were lazy. They functioned as Holy Signs, concentrated theology, protection, and permanent presence of Christ. Here are 4 well-known Christograms:

A Knight Templar wore them. – a monk wrote them and the Church carved them in stone. Not to read, but to be.

INRI

Iesvs = Jesus

Nazarenvs = of Nazareth

Rex = king

Ivdæorvm = of the Jews

These are the words that Pontius Pilate wrote above Jesus on the cross.

piece of weathered wood with the letters INRI

IHS Iēsous ΙΗΣΟΥΣ

The first 3 letters of Jesus in Greek.

Iota, Eta, Sigma

It is often used in Western art to symbolize Christ, and sometimes it appears on the Eucharistic host.

Only later was IHS read as “Iesus Hominum Salvator” Jesus, savior of mankind. But that is Latin and not Greek.

IC XC

  • ΙΗΣΟΥΣ → abbreviated to IC
  • ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ → abbreviated to XC

A Greek abbreviation meaning Jesus Christ; along with a specific hand gesture. That gesture forms the letters.

👉 Christ doesn’t just say who He is, He shows it

The coin at the very top is Medieval Greek, or Byzantine Greek. Dating 1028.

JMJ

If you’re familiar with the Reverend Fulton Sheen, you’ve probably seen him write JMJ on the blackboard. That stands for Jesus, Mary and Joseph. It has become a common custom among Catholics to write this at the top of letters, documents, papers or blackboards.

AMGD

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

To the greater glory of God. This abbreviation comes from Saint Ignatius of Layola, Spain. Medieval glass & lead window with the text: Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

As an extra: the abbreviations IHSV and NNDNN are not Christograms: the name Christ is not in them.

IHSV In Hoc Signo Vinces in this sign you will overcome

NNDNN Non Nobis, Domine, Non Nobis Sed Nomine Tuo Da Gloriam

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory

Knights Templar Cross Medal + sheet music Non Nobis