Alpha and Omega

• The phrase ‘Alpha and Omega’ means ‘the First and the Last’.
• These are the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet.

In Christianity

• The phrase was used as a Name to describe Christ by Early Roman commentators on Christianity.
• ‘I am the Alpha and Omega’ is found in the Chapter 1 verse 8 of the Book of Revelation, to describe Christ and God.
• It was used as a symbol in early Christianity, and can be found in the Catacombs of Ancient Rome, usually beside the Chi Rho Symbol on the Cross beside the head of Christ.

Early Christian Symbols

• Chi Rho
  • The Monogram of the Early Christian Church.
  • The Greek letters ‘Chi’ (X), and ‘Rho’ (P) were the first two letters of Jesus Christ’s name when spelt in Greek.
• The Dove
  • the symbol of the Holy Spirit.
• The Fish
  • The Greek word for fish is ‘Ichthys’ forming the letters of the words:
  • ‘Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter’ meaning ‘Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour’.
  • It was a secret symbol used by Early Christians to recognise each other.
• The Anchor
  • The symbol of Hope.
• The Phoenix
  • The Symbol of renewal, it represented the Resurrection of Christ.
• The Good Shepherd
  • The  Shepherd represents Christ and the lamb, the Soul which he has saved.
• The Orante
  • The depiction of a figure praying with elbows in and arms extended, thought to be a symbol of the Soul.