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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|Constantine]] 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, it substituted the form of a [[cross]] for the old pagan symbols, and was surmounted by a jewelled wreath of gold containing the monogram of Christ, intersecting '''Chi''' (χ) and '''Rho''' (ρ); upon this hung a [[w:Tyrian purple|rich purple]] banner,<ref group="note">Purple dye at this time was a rarity derived from a shellfish of the genus ''[[w:Murex|Murex]].'' [[w:Tyrian purple|Tyrian purple]] ((Greek, πορφύρα, porphyra, Latin: purpura), also known as royal purple, imperial purple) was prized by the Romans, who used it to colour ceremonial robes.</ref> beset with gold trim and profuse embroidery. The inscription ''' ''"Εν Τουτω Νικα"'' (''In Hoc Signo Vinces'') — "In this sign, conquer" ''' was in all probability inscribed upon the actual standard, although [[Eusebius of Caesarea|Eusebius]] mentions that royal portraits of Constantine and his children were integrated.<ref group="note">These portraits could have been embroidered, or set as [[w:Phalera (military decoration)|medallions/roundels]] on the staff. Later, the name ''Labarum'' was given to variants of the original standard. An idea of some of the deviations in form of the standards furnished to different divisions of the army may be obtained from several coins of Constantine's reign that are still preserved. On one coin, for instance, the portraits of the emperor and his sons are represented on the actual banner (instead of as [[w:Phalera (military decoration)|medallions/roundels]] on the staff); on a second, the banner is inscribed with the Chi-Rho monogram, and surmounted by the equal-armed [[cross]] while the medallions/roundels of the royal portraits, are on the shaft below the banner. ("[http://oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=Labarum Labarum]."'' '''Original Catholic Encyclopedia).'''</ref> St. [[Ambrose of Milan]] later wrote that the Labarum was [[Consecration of a church|consecrated]] by the Name of [[Jesus Christ|Christ]].<ref>[[Ambrose of Milan]]. ''"Letter XL."'' '''St. Ambrose Selected Letters'''.</ref>
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>
"The emperor constantly made use of this sign of salvation as a safeguard against every adverse and hostile power, and commanded that others similar to it should be carried at the head of all his armies."<ref>Eusebius Pamphilius: ''Church History, Life of Constantine, Oration in Praise of Constantine'', Chapter XXXI.</ref></blockquote>
Fifty soldiers of the imperial guard''(ὑπασπισταἰ)'', distinguished for bravery and piety, were entrusted with the care and defense of the new sacred standard , which was to be borne by them singly by turns (''Vita Constant.'', II:8). Standards, similar to the original labarum in its essential features were supplied to all the legions, and the monogram was also engraved on the soldiers' shields.<ref>Hassett, Maurice. ''"[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08717c.htm Labarum (Chi-Rho)]."'' '''The Catholic Encyclopedia.''' (New Advent). Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910.</ref>
==Historical Evidence for Use of the Labarum==
Eusebius stated that in addition to the singular labarum of Constantine, other similar standards (labara) were issued to the Roman army. This is confirmed by the two labara depicted being held by a soldier on a coin of [[w:Vetranio|Vetranio]] dating from 350.
The sacred symbols were naturally removed from the standards by [[Julian the Apostate]], but were restored by Jovian and his successors, and continued to be borne by later Byzantine emperors.<ref>[[w:William Smith (lexicographer)|Smith, Sir William]] and Samuel Cheetham (eds.). ''"[http://books.google.ca/books?id=omMaAAAAYAAJ&source=gbs_navlinks_s Labarum]."'' '''A dictionary of Christian antiquities: Being a continuation of the ʻDictionary of the Bible', Volume 2.''' J. B. Burr, 1880. p.910.</ref> The Labarum marked with the monogram of [[Christ]] is seen on the coins of [[Constantine the Great]], and also of Constans, of JovianusJovian, and of ValentinianusValentinian, to the end of the [http://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Imperial%20Series imperial series].<ref>''[http://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=labarum Labarum].'' '''Numiswiki: The Collaborative Numismatics Project.'''</ref>
==Later Usage==
[[Image:Theotokos-Standard.JPG|thumb|right|Modern Orthodox Labarum. Embroidered icon of the [[Theotokos]] with [[Christ]]; [[w:Deesis|Deësis]] icon in the lower panels; surmounted by the [[cross]].]]
Later usage came to regard the terms "Labarum" and "Chi-Rho" as synonymous, although ancient sources draw an unambiguous distinction between the two due to their separate origins.
Christians' use of the sacred "Chi-Rho" Christogram naturally expanded into a variety of other areas and formats as well. This included on coins and medallions (minted during Constantine's reign and by subsequent rulers, becoming part of the official imperial insignia after Constantine); on Christian sarcophagi and frescoes from about 350 AD; and eventually appearing on public buildings and churches as well.
A later Byzantine manuscript indicates that a jewelled Labarum standard believed to have been that of [[Constantine the Great|Constantine the Great]] was preserved for centuries, as an object of great veneration, in the imperial treasury at [[Church of Constantinople|Constantinople]].<ref>Lieu and Montserrat p. 118. From a Byzantine life of Constantine (BHG 364) written in the mid to late ninth century.</ref> The Labarum, with minor variations in its form, was widely used by the Christian Roman emperors who followed Constantine. A miniature version of the Labarum became part of the imperial regalia of [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] rulers, who were often depicted carrying it in their right hands.
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, March 13, 1821.
Image:Wurzach St Verena Kirchenfahnen Taufstein.jpg|Modern ecclesiatical Labara from the Roman Catholic [[w:Rot an der Rot Abbey|Abbey Church of St. Verena]], Rot an der Rot, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Image:A z.jpg|Chi-Rho standard on a Russian monastery, Jerusalem, Israel.
Image:Modern Ecclesiastical Labarum.JPG|A modern Orthodox ecclesiastical standard (Labarum), with an icon.
Image:2010 0627(006)ed.jpg|A modern Orthodox ecclesiastical standard (Labarum), with icon of [[Christ]].
File:Feodorovskaya 1916.jpeg.jpg|Processional banner: Mother of God of Theodore. Church of the Holy Martyr Haralampus (Moscow, 1916).
Image:Epiphany Procession to the San River.JPG|[[Theophany]] procession on the San River (southeastern Poland / western Ukraine).
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* [[w:Nomina sacra|Nomina sacra]]
* [[w:Talisman|Talisman]]
* [[w:The Vision of the Cross|The Vision of the Cross]]
'''Other'''
* [http://www.latin-dictionary.net/q/latin/laureatum.html LATdict - An Online Latin Dictionary].
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