Chrismon Number One: The Alpha & The Omega

The first symbol in our Chrismons series is: The Alpha and the Omega.

(For Part I of the series, click here.)

This symbol is related to the words of Christ in:

  

    

Revelation 1:8:

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.

The Alpha (A) and the Omega (Ω) are the first and last symbols of the Classical (Ionic) Greek alphabet.  In effect, they are the 'beginning and the end".

By taking this name, Jesus is saying that he is the beginning of all things, the Creator...and the consummation of all things, as the One before whom we will stand at the final judgment.
He is stating that he is God.

The two symbols together were often used as a Christian symbol in early Christian art, particularly in the West. 

Alpha & Omega appear on either side of the head of Jesus in this Mural from catacomb of Commodilla from the  late 4th century
Image: public domain

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In more traditional expressions of Christianity, these symbols continue to be widely used today.

The Alpha & Omega appear on the altar of our own parish church.

There will be another symbol tomorrow.  

Until then, be blessed and be well.

Pax Christi,

~Michelle

The next ornament in the series (Part 3) can be found here.

Linked with The Ten O'Clock Scholar Nativity Carnival.