Christian symbols and signs. Fish - the first symbol of Christianity

The buildings 15.10.2019

The buildings

Instructions

Proponents of the first theory argue that the fish was chosen as a symbol of the new faith and an identifying mark among the early Christians, since the Greek spelling of this word is an acronym for the main tenet of the Christian faith. “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior” - this was and remains to this day the creed of Christianity, and the first of these words in Greek (Ἰησοὺς Χριστὸς Θεoὺ ῾Υιὸς Σωτήρ) form the word Ίχθύς, “ichthys” ", "fish". According to this theory, early Christians, depicting the sign of the fish, professed their faith and at the same time recognized their fellow believers. In Henryk Sienkiewicz’s novel “Quo vadis” there is a scene in which the Greek Chilon tells the patrician Petronius exactly this version of the origin of the fish sign as a symbol of Christians.

According to another theory, the sign of fish among the early Christians was a symbolic designation of followers of the new faith. This statement is based on frequent references to fish in the sermons of Jesus Christ, as well as in His personal conversations with his disciples, later the apostles. He metaphorically calls people in need of salvation fish, and the future apostles, many of whom were former fishermen, “fishers of men.” “And Jesus said to Simon: Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men” (Gospel of Luke 5: 10) The “Fisherman’s Ring” of the Pope, one of the main attributes of the vestment, has the same origin.
Biblical texts also claim that only fish survived the Great Flood, sent by God for the sins of people, not counting those who took refuge in the Ark. At the beginning of the era, history repeated itself, Greco-Roman civilization was experiencing a monstrous crisis of morality, and the new Christian faith was called upon to become the saving and at the same time cleansing waters of a new “spiritual” flood. “The kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind” (Gospel of Matthew 13:47).

Also worthy of attention is the theory that fish became a symbol of Christianity due to its main, food function. The new creed primarily spread among the most oppressed part of the population. For these people, simple food like fish was the only salvation from starvation. This is precisely what some researchers see as the reason why fish has become a symbol of salvation from spiritual death, the bread of new life and the promise of life after death. As evidence, supporters of this theory cite numerous images in the Roman catacombs in places of ritual, where fish acted as a Eucharistic symbol.

Most fish have large and round eyes, but they are designed completely differently from other animals. This raises the question of how well and how fish are able to see.

Instructions

Fish vision is designed in such a way that they can easily see colors and even distinguish shades. Nevertheless, they see things a little differently, from the abodes of land. When looking up, fish are able to see everything without distortion, but if to the side, straight or at an angle, it is distorted due to the media of water and air.

The maximum visibility of the inhabitants of the water element does not exceed 10–12 meters in clear water. Often this distance is reduced even further due to the presence of plants, changes in water color, increased turbidity, etc. Fish distinguish objects most clearly at a distance of up to 2 meters. Due to the peculiarity of the structure of the eyes, when swimming to the surface of the water, fish begin to see objects as if through.

The predators that live in clear waters are the best able to see - grayling, trout, asp, pike. Some species that feed on bottom organisms and plankton (bream, catfish, eel, pike perch, etc.) have special light-sensitive elements in the retina that can distinguish weak light rays. Due to this, they can see quite well in the dark.

Being near the shore, the fish hear the fisherman very well, but do not see him due to the refraction of the ray of vision. This makes them vulnerable, so a big role

For our readers: the symbol of fish in Christianity with detailed description from various sources.

The image of a fish is often found in meeting places of early Christians, in catacombs and cemeteries Ancient Rome and Greece, as well as in medieval Christian architecture. There are several complementary theories as to why fish became a symbol of Christianity.

Instructions

these words in Greek (Ἰησοὺς Χριστὸς Θεoὺ ῾Υιὸς Σωτήρ) form the word Ίχθύς, “ichthys”, “fish”. According to this theory, early Christians, depicting the sign of the fish, professed their faith and at the same time recognized their fellow believers. In Henryk Sienkiewicz’s novel “Quo vadis” there is a scene in which the Greek Chilon tells the patrician Petronius exactly this version of the origin of the fish sign as a symbol of Christians.

Most fish have large and round eyes, but they are designed completely differently from other animals. This raises the question of how well and how fish are able to see.

Instructions

Fish vision is designed in such a way that they can easily see colors and even distinguish shades. However, they see things a little differently, in

from the sushi abodes. At

up fish are able to see everything without distortion, but if

look

to the side, straight or at an angle,

picture

distorted due to the media of water and air.

porthole

Being near the shore, the fish hear the fisherman very well, but do not see him due to the refraction of the ray of vision. This makes them vulnerable, so a big role

presence of camouflage. Experienced fishermen advise not to wear bright clothes when fishing, but

vice versa

Choose more protective colors as a camouflage that will blend into the general background. Much less likely to be noticed

will be in shallow water than when fishing close to the shore and in deeper places. Thus, while fishing, it is better to sit than stand, and also not

commit

sudden movements. That is why spinners who like to hunt from a boat are better off fishing (catching a predator by throwing bait) while sitting, which is not only safe, but will also help

get

noticeably larger catch.

What does this fish sign mean for Christians?

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Ichthys(ancient Greek Ίχθύς - fish) - an ancient acronym (monogram) of the name of Jesus Christ, consisting of initial letters words: Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ (Jesus Christ the Son of God the Savior).

Often depicted in an allegorical way - in the form of a fish.

Symbolic meaning

The acronym IHTIS (ΙΧΘΥΣ) is built on the use of the following letters:

Thus, in this abbreviation short form expresses the confession of the Christian faith.

Gospel symbolism

The New Testament connects the symbolism of fish with the preaching of Christ's disciples, many of whom were fishermen. Jesus Christ calls his disciples " fishers of men"(Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17), and the Kingdom of Heaven is likened to" a net thrown into the sea and catching fish of all kinds"(Matthew 13:47).

“The Last Supper”, fresco from the 13th century. in the cave church, Cappadocia. The Body of Christ in the Grail is depicted as a fish

The image of a fish also has a Eucharistic meaning associated with the following meals described in the Gospel:

feeding the people in the desert with loaves and fishes (Mark 6:34-44, Mark 8:1-9);
the meal of Christ and the apostles on Lake Tiberias after his Resurrection (John 21:9-22).

These scenes were often depicted in the catacombs, connecting with the Last Supper.

The sign was also associated with Alpha from the words of Jesus Christ: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (Rev. 22:13).

Symbol occurrence time

In early Christian art, images of Christ were an unacceptable subject due to persecution, so various symbolic codes arose. Images of the acronym ΙΧΘΥΣ or the fish symbolizing it appear in the Roman catacombs in the 2nd century. The widespread use of this symbol is evidenced by the mention of it in Tertullian in beginning of III century:

We are little fish, led by our ikhthus, we are born in water and can only be saved by being in water.

Features of the symbol image

Ίχθύς Early Christian inscription,

Monogram without any drawings.
Fish(with and without the monogram ΙΧΘΥΣ) - can be depicted symbolically.
A fish carrying on its back a basket of bread and a bottle of wine,- a symbol of Christ carrying the sacrament.
Dolphin- symbolizes Christ as a guide through chaos and disastrous abysses. A dolphin with an anchor or a ship represents the church, and a dolphin pierced by a trident or chained to an anchor is Christ crucified on the cross.

Currently

At the end of the 20th century, ichthys became a popular symbol among Orthodox and Protestants in different countries. They place this sticker on cars.

Opponents of creationism began to parody this sign by sticking a fish sign with the word “Darwin” and small legs on their cars.

Notes

Links

Ichthys // encyclopedic Dictionary Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.

As is known, in the Roman Empire in the first centuries the Church was subjected to severe persecution. Under these conditions, it was impossible not only to openly profess oneself as a Christian, but also to create images that directly spoke about faith. Therefore, in early Christian fine arts Various symbolic images appeared. They were a kind of secret writing by which co-religionists could identify each other. An example of such secret writing is given by the Polish writer Henryk Sienkiewicz in his wonderful book “Camo Coming.” The novel begins with the fact that one noble Roman fell in love with a young beautiful girl who turned out to be a Christian. And so he tells how he found this girl drawing something in the sand:

– What did she draw in the sand? Is it not the name of Cupid, or a heart pierced by an arrow, or something else, from which you could understand that the satyrs were already whispering into this nymph’s ear some secrets of life? How could you not look at these signs!

“I put on my toga earlier than you think,” said Vinicius. - Until little Aulus came running, I carefully examined these signs. I know that in both Greece and Rome girls often draw confessions in the sand that their lips refuse to utter. But guess what she drew?

– If it’s something else, I probably won’t guess.

The girl was a Christian, and it was no coincidence that she drew this drawing. Indeed, fish is one of the most common designs in early Christian painting. And it symbolized not just anyone, but the Lord Jesus Christ himself. And the reason for this is the ancient Greek language. The fact is that in ancient Greek fish ὁ ἰχθύς (ihthys). Christians saw in this word a kind of acrostic (a poem in which the first letters of each line form a meaningful text) telling about Christ. Each letter of the “ancient Greek fish” was for them, accordingly, the first letter of other, very important words expressing the confession of the Christian faith: Ἰησοῦς Χριστός Jεοῦ Uἱός Sωτήρ. From ancient Greek to Russian it is translated as follows: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior. Those. the ancients read the ancient Greek word ἰχθύς (fish) as an abbreviation for this phrase.

In general, the symbolism of fish is often used in the New Testament. For example, the Lord says: “Is there a man among you who, when his son asks him for bread, would give him a stone? and when he asks for a fish, would you give him a snake? If you, therefore, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him” (Matthew 7:9-11). According to many interpreters Holy Scripture, the image of the fish here symbolizes Christ as the true Bread of Life, and the snake symbolizes the devil. Therefore, for example, sometimes fish in early Christian painting were painted together with baskets filled with bread and wine. Those. this image had a Eucharistic meaning.

Christ also feeds a multitude of people, taking seven loaves of bread and “a few fish”: “And taking the seven loaves and fishes, he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples, and the disciples to the people. And they all ate and were filled” (Matthew 15:36-37). In another similar miracle, there were five loaves and two fish (see: Matthew 14: 17–21).

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Every now and then we see a fish symbol on someone's car, or T-shirt, or mug. What does it mean? It looks modern, but in fact it is a very ancient Christian symbol, which we should remember in more detail.

But we will have to start with symbols in general - because here we enter a world that was ours for our ancestors, the people of the Bible and the Church Tradition, but is little understood by us.

We are accustomed to a flatter, utilitarian language in which every word or icon has one meaning, a language that is easily translated by computers because it easily breaks down into isolated fragments. To modern man It can be almost impossible to read Scripture with its deeply symbolic language, and much of the atheistic criticism of the Bible is precisely due to the inability to understand symbolically. Let us try, however, to return to the world of symbols.

The word “symbol” itself goes back to the Greek σύμβολα. When they parted, the friends would break the tablet so that years later they (or their descendants) could identify each other by how the pieces fit together. Imagine two friends - let's call them, say, Alexis and Gennadios - who grew up in the same Polis, fought shoulder to shoulder in the hoplite phalanx, then Gennadios went overseas and settled in one of the Greek colonies. Alexis got married, his son was born and raised, and now his son must go to this colony on some business - and Alexis gives him this very “symbol” so that he can be recognized in the house of Gennadios as the son of his old friend. Alexis's son arrives and learns that Gennadios has long since died - but his descendants carefully preserve the "symbol", and when he shows his soul mate, Gennadios' sons joyfully welcome him into their home.

The “symbol” was a kind of material password by which people could understand that they were dealing with their own.

The symbol did not just convey some information - it was associated with a sense of community, a shared life, a reminder of the labors and dangers endured together, and the obligations of old friendship. In itself, the fragment of the tablet was worth nothing - and had no meaning to outsiders - but for those who kept it, it was very important.

Something similar happens to us with old things. As they say in Elena Blaginina’s poem “The Overcoat”:

Why are you saving your overcoat? -
I asked my dad. -
Why don't you tear it up and burn it? -
I asked my dad.

After all, she is both dirty and old,
Take a closer look,
There's a hole in the back,
Take a closer look!

That's why I take care of it, -
Dad answers me, -
That’s why I won’t tear it up, I won’t burn it, -
Dad answers me. -

That's why she's dear to me
What's in this overcoat
We went, my friend, against the enemy
And they defeated him!

An old overcoat is dear to a former soldier because important memories for him are associated with it - and many of us have some things dear to our personal or family history. But “symbols” may not be objects - but words, designs, images. When we enter the church and sing the same chants that many generations of our ancestors sang before us, and are now sung by Orthodox Christians all over the face of the earth, we understand that we are one family, although centuries and continents may separate us. When we hear from the priest in the temple: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all” and we answer “and with your spirit” - we connect the parts of the symbol, like the ancient Greeks - parts of the tablet .

The language of Tradition is always deeply symbolic; he doesn't just tell us some information; he opens the windows, behind which stands the whole world. And this language is not limited to words; The Church proclaims, explains, and defends its faith in the language of icon painting, temple architecture, liturgical singing, gestures, and rituals. And one of the oldest Christian symbols is Ichthys - the image of a fish.

Any symbol has multiple meanings - as the famous philologist Sergei Sergeevich Averintsev says, "If for a purely utilitarian sign system polysemy (polysemy) is only a meaningless hindrance that harms the rational functioning of a sign, then the more polysemous it is, the more meaningful the symbol is: ultimately, the content of a genuine symbol, through mediating semantic connections, is each time correlated with the “most important thing” - with the idea of the world’s totality, with the completeness of the cosmic and human “universe”.

In other words, the symbol exists within a universe where everything is interconnected and everything is endowed with deep meaning. Unlike utilitarian language - for example, the language in which the instructions for assembling an Ikea bookcase are written - symbolic language is three-dimensional, not flat, its utterances are always part of an organic context to which they are connected in many ways.

So you can look at the paintings of great masters for a very, very long time - and every time they will tell you something unexpected. Behind the symbol there is always a view of the world as “Creation” (in Greek it will be “poem”), as an integrity united by the general plan of the Creator, where every detail is woven into the overall pattern.

So, let's consider a symbol such as Ichthys - the sign of fish.

First of all, it is a confession of faith. The Greek word “Ichthys” (fish, hence “ichthyology”, the science of fish) can be read as an acronym (abbreviation of the first letters) of the name of Jesus Christ, consisting of the initial letters of the words: Ἰησοὺς Χριστὸς Θεoὺ ῾Υιὸς Σωτήρ (Jesus Christ of God the Son of pastel) .

It may seem to us that the coincidence of the name of the fish and the acronym for the name of the Lord is completely accidental - just funny game words But for the first Christians this was not the case. They were acutely aware that the world in which they lived - with its fish and birds, plants and animals - was God's peace. Great book nature was written by God, addressed to people, and its main purpose is to talk about the Creator. A fish is not just a fish, just as in general there is nothing “simple”, meaningless, or meaningless in the world. Fish is present in this world to teach us something and reveal some secrets. Human languages are not accidental either - the fact that fish reminds us of Christ is not a coincidence, but a design.

The mark of a fish means that a person named Jesus, who lived at a specific time in a specific place, is Christ, that is, the Savior, the Son of God and the Savior predicted by the prophets. Moreover, in ancient world the word "savior" (soter) was a royal title. Ancient rulers claimed to be “soters,” that is, saviors of their subjects from war and other disasters. Christians said that the true King and Savior is Christ, who saves us from the real disaster - sin.

Ichthys also served as a “symbol” in the original sense - as a sign by which friends recognize each other. This was especially important during persecution - one Christian could draw an arc on the earth, which in itself meant nothing and gave him away to his persecutors, and another could draw the same arc, so that the result was a fish - and this is how brothers in Christ recognized each other.

Ichthys also served (and serves) as a reminder (we could say “hyperlinks”) to many Gospel episodes associated with fishermen and fish. It reminds us of the Fisherman Apostles; about the miraculous catch of Saint Apostle Peter, after which he, amazed, exclaims “in get away from me, Lord! because I am a sinful person. For horror seized him and all those who were with him from this fishing of fish they caught.”(Luke 5:8,9) About the words of the Lord to Peter "don't be afraid; From now on you will catch people"(Luke 5:10) About the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, which is mentioned twice in the Gospel (Mark 6:41; 8:7) About the miracle of a coin in the fish’s mouth (Matthew 17:7) About another miraculous catch when already after His Resurrection the Lord “he said to them: cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will catch it. They cast, and could no longer pull out [the nets] from the multitude of fish"(John 21:6) About the meal that the Risen One shared with the disciples - “Jesus comes and takes the bread and gives them fish also.”(John 21:13,14)

Early church writers also associated fish with the Eucharist, which Christ gives to His faithful, as He says in the Gospel “Which father among you, when his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? or, when he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake instead of a fish?”(Luke 11:11) “Fish” - Christ, as the true bread of life, was contrasted by interpreters with the “snake” - the devil.

St. Clement of Alexandria calls Christ a “fisherman” and compares Christians to “fish”

Fisherman of all mortals,
saved by you
In the waves of hostile
From the sea of wickedness

To Tertullian, water and fish speak about the Sacrament of Baptism: “We are little fish, led by our ikhthus, we are born in water and can only be saved by being in water.”

The image of a fish is found in early church art - for example, we can recall the famous mosaic in the Jerusalem Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. Although the fish symbol never disappeared from Christian art, it gradually faded into the background - and experienced a revival in the 70s of the twentieth century, when Christians began to place it on the logos of their businesses or on cars, sometimes with the inscription "Jesus" or "Ichthys" " inside.

This caused a somewhat amusing struggle between automobile symbols - American atheists chose the “Darwin fish” as their symbol - that is, a fish with legs, which was supposed to indicate that all life, according to the theory of Evolution, originated in water and then came to land. Proponents of strict literalism in reading the book of Genesis responded by depicting Darwin's fish upside down, as a sign of its non-viability.

Believing scientists who do not see insurmountable differences between faith and evolutionary theory, in turn, combined both symbols and released a fish with legs and the inscription “Jesus”.

“Ichthys” is a living symbol and here in Russia, for example, there is an Orthodox vocal ensemble with the same name.

And for us, the symbol of a fish, wherever we see it, is a reminder of our Lord Jesus Christ, a sign that we should stop and think about His Gospel.

THE MEANING OF ANCIENT CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS,
DISPLAYED AROUND THE ST. ILINA TEMPLE.
The earliest Christian symbolic images date back to the first persecution of the Church in the Roman Empire.
Floor mosaics from the time of Constantine and Helena in the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Then symbolism was used primarily as a cryptogram, secret writing, so that co-religionists could recognize each other in a hostile environment. However, the meaning of the symbols was entirely determined by religious experiences; thus it can be argued that they brought to us the theology of the early Church. Lamb, Cross, vine, basket of bread, cup, dove, Good Shepherd, lily, peacock, fish, phoenix, anchor, pelican, eagle, chrisma, rooster, lion, olive branch, alpha and omega - these are the most common early Christian symbols.

Mosaic floor with image grape leaves and clusters carrying a Eucharistic meaning, complemented by images of the Eucharistic cups and next to them the fruits of pomegranates - one of the variants of the fruits of the Tree of Life.

The symbolism of early Christian art is much deeper than simple encrypted images; these images were a kind of visual sermon for Christians, like the parables that the biblical prophets resorted to and Jesus Christ often addressed in his conversations.
In 2012, during the improvement of the territory of Ilyinskaya Mountain, ancient Christian symbols were depicted with the help of decorative paving on the western and eastern, northern and southern sides of the St. Elias Church: lily, chrisma, fish and anchor. What do they mean?
Depicted in the decorative paving in front of the entrance to the temple, the lily is a symbol of innocence and purity, a symbol of a soul loving God. The Book of Song of Songs says that Solomon's Old Testament temple was decorated with lilies. According to legend, on the day of the Annunciation, Archangel Gabriel came to the Virgin Mary with a white lily, which has since become a symbol of Her purity, innocence and devotion to God. In the Middle Ages, saints glorified by the purity of their lives were depicted with the same flower. Among the first Christians, the lily represented martyrs who remained pure and faithful to Christ, despite severe persecution.
So we must enter the temple of the Lord with pure and meek hearts if we want to take part in Divine Liturgy and worthily partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

CHRISMA.

Chrisma or chrismon is a monogram of the word Christ, which means the Anointed One, Messiah, and which consists of the two initial Greek letters of this word “ΧΡΙΣΤὈΣ” - “Χ” (hee) and "Ρ" (ro), superimposed on one another. Monograms are sometimes placed along the edges greek letters"a" and "ω". This use of these letters goes back to the text of the Apocalypse: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev. 1:8) .
Coin of Emperor Magnentius with the image of a chrysma.

Christianity became widespread in epigraphy, on the reliefs of sarcophagi, in mosaics, including floor ones, and probably dates back to apostolic times. It is possible that its origin is connected with the words of the Apocalypse: "the seal of the living God" (Rev. 7:2). The Greek name for the monogram is "crisma" (proper “anointing”, “confirmation”) can be translated as "seal".
Monogram of Christ on the floor of the ancient Christian basilica of Chrysopolitissa.

In the environment Slavic peoples Ancient Christian Christianity acquired a new meaning, becoming a symbol of the Incarnation or the Nativity of Christ, according to the first letters - “P” and “X” - its Slavic spelling.
Chrism on the south side of the St. Elias Church in Vyborg

FISH.

The fish is one of the earliest and most common Christian symbols. "Ichthys" (Ancient Greek Ἰχθύς - fish)- ancient acronym (monogram) name of Jesus Christ, consisting of the initial letters of the words: Ίησοὺς Χριστὸς Θεού Ὺιὸς Σωτήρ (Jesus Christ Son of God Savior), that is, expresses in brief form the confession of the Christian faith.
The New Testament connects the symbolism of fish with the preaching of the Disciples of Christ, some of whom were fishermen.
At the same time, Christians themselves were often depicted symbolically- in the form of fish. One of the early Church Fathers, Tertullian, wrote: “We, little fish, following our Jesus Christ, are born in water (of grace) and only by remaining in it can we be unharmed.”
The symbolic image of a fish also has a Eucharistic meaning. In the oldest part of the Callista catacombs, researchers discovered a clear image of a fish carrying on its back a basket of bread and a vessel of wine. This is a Eucharistic symbol denoting the Savior, Who gives people the food of salvation, new life.
An ancient mosaic depicting a stupa with loaves and fishes, with which the Lord fed the suffering, is located in the Altar next to the sacred stone. On the stone, as some New Testament researchers suggest, the Savior stood when he blessed the fish and bread before feeding the people with them.

In other catacombs and on tombstones, the image of a fish is often found in combination with other symbols and means the saturation of the people in the desert with loaves and fishes (Mark 6:34-44, Mark 8:1-9), as well as the meal prepared by the Savior for the Apostles after His Resurrection (John 21:9-22) on the shore of Lake Tiberias.

Ancient Christian symbol of fish from the East
sides of the St. Elias Church in Vyborg

ANCHOR.

In early Christian art, the anchor was a symbol of hope. The source for the emergence of this image was the Epistle to the Jews by St. Apostle Paul, where we can find the following words: “God, desiring to show the heirs of the promise the immutability of His will, used an oath as a means, so that... we, who have come running to take hold of the hope set before us, may have firm consolation, which for the soul is like a safe and strong anchor, and enters into the interior behind the veil, where the forerunner Jesus came in for us, becoming a High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek" (6:17-20). Thus, the anchor is for us an attribute of the personified hope of salvation in Christ Jesus from eternal death.
Floor mosaic of the Naval Cathedral.

An anchor as an ancient Christian symbol of hope from the northern side of the St. Elias Church in Vyborg.
Over time, the One Undivided Church of Christ, with its conciliar mind, the 82nd canon of the Sixth Ecumenical Council, rejected the image of the Lamb as a symbol of the Sacrifice of Christ: “On some honest icons, a lamb is depicted, shown by the finger of the Forerunner, which is accepted as the image of grace, through the law showing us the true lamb, Christ our God. Honoring the ancient images and canopies, devoted to the Church, as signs and destinies of truth, we prefer grace and truth, accepting it as the fulfillment of the law. For this reason, so that by the art of painting the perfect thing may be presented to the eyes of all, we command from now on the image the lamb who takes away the sins of the world, Christ our God, is represented on icons according to human nature, instead of the old lamb: and through this, contemplating the humility of God the Word, we are brought to the memory of His life in the flesh, His suffering, and saving death, and thus the accomplished redemption of the world ".
Also, by the 73rd rule of the same Council, the Church prohibited the depiction of the Life-giving Cross of Christ on earth: “Since the Life-giving Cross has shown us salvation, then it is fitting for us to use every diligence, so that due honor will be given to that through which we were saved from the ancient Fall. Therefore, Bringing veneration to him in thought, word, and feeling, we command that the images of the Cross, drawn by some on the ground, be completely blotted out, so that the sign of our victory will not be insulted by the trampling of those walking...”
But today, when modern means information, it would seem, provide inexhaustible opportunities for knowledge of one’s own Faith, from nowhere, unfortunate “zealots” of their own ignorance appeared, who, from the inflammation of the still unresolved passions of their former life, began to blaspheme the ancient Christian symbols depicted on the four sides of the St. Elias Church, falsely asserting that their images on earth are prohibited by the 73rd rule of the Sixth Ecumenical Council. However, as we can see from the text of this rule, the Church prohibits depicting only the Life-giving Cross of Christ on earth, without even hinting at other ancient Christian symbols. Moreover, this rule speaks specifically about the “Life-Giving Cross”, and not about any other, simple or decorative, cross of lines. Because of the three crosses found by Queen Helena, Equal-to-the-Apostles, only one, the Cross of Christ, was life-giving and worthy of worship. The other two crosses, among which was the cross of the prudent thief, who, according to the word of the Lord, was the first to enter the heavenly abodes, were not life-giving and were not an object of worship for the Church.
Again, if we see the Life-giving Cross of the Lord in any crossroads of lines, we will be forced to refuse to use transport and roads that constantly cross, as well as sidewalks, which inevitably end in pedestrian crossings at intersections. At the same time, to the great joy of those who oppose our faith, we will be forced to jump like fleas, accidentally finding ourselves in the crosshairs of the seams of tile floors in public places.
Therefore, from ancient times, the Church, depicting the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, with two additional crossbars and the inscription on them indicates that this cross is not just a decorative cross of lines or ornaments, but is an image of the Life-giving Cross of Christ, by which we are saved “from the work of the enemy.”
As for other ancient Christian symbols, we repeat that the Church has never prohibited their depiction both on walls and on floors Christian churches, except during the shameful triumph of iconoclasm. Those who, being infected with proud conceit, contrary to the entire tradition of the One Undivided Church, are jealous of their ignorant opinions about the inadmissibility of depicting Christian symbols in Orthodox church building, not only on the walls, but also on the ground, are likened to the ancient Pharisees, who, instead of observing the fulfillment of the commandments God, they arbitrarily accepted to adhere to false piety: “Observe the washing of cups, pots, cauldrons and benches” (Mark 7:4).
And such show themselves to be similar not only to the ancient Pharisees, but also to reveal themselves to be new iconoclasts, who, being infected with secret Manichaeism, forgot that everything was created "very good" (Gen. 1:31); and that we were created from the dust of the earth, which to this day we “trample” under our feet; and that the Lord, in His Holy Incarnation, took upon this our corporeality from the dust of the earth, joining it to His incorruptible Divinity; and that the Lord washed in His Sacraments not only our heads, but also our feet, which was clearly shown by the example of Peter (John 13:6-10); and that God is not only the God of Heaven, but also of earth (Rev. 11:4); and that on the day of Holy Epiphany we consecrate with holy agiasma not only the walls of our homes, but also “in all places, both stingy, and everywhere, even under our feet”; and that in the future age, the pre-radiance of which our churches are filled, “God will be all in all” (1 Cor. 15:28)- such people want to take away from us not just the splendor, but the wealth of grace-filled and saving symbols that fill our churches, likening them to the sad desolation of Protestant churches.
Moreover, if we follow the logic of these new iconoclasts, then episcopal services should be prohibited. Because the bishops of the Church at divine services stand on nothing other than eagles, which depict the ancient Christian symbol of an eagle in the radiance of grace and a city with holy temples, and which, if you believe the fables of the latter-day iconoclasts, are the primates of local Churches in “shameful ignorance” of true piety "trampled" underfoot. But we know that where there is a bishop, there is the Church, and where there is no bishop, there is no Church. Why should we now leave the Church to please the new iconoclasts? Let this not happen!

The saddest thing is that such are false teachers, “not entering by the door into the sheepfold” (John 10:1), deceive the hearts of the simple-minded and sow division in the one Church Body. It will be useful for them to remember well and not to forget a completely different rule of the same Sixth Ecumenical Council, the 64th, which reads: “It is not proper for a layman to pronounce a word before the people, or to teach, and thus take upon himself the dignity of a teacher, but to obey a devotee.” order from the Lord, to open the ears of those who have received the grace of the teacher’s word, and from them to learn from the Divine. For in the one Church God created different members, according to the word of the Apostle, which, when Gregory the Theologian explains, clearly shows the order found in them, saying: this, brethren, let us honor the order, Let us preserve this one; let this one be an ear, and that one a tongue; this one a hand, and let another one be something else; let this one teach, let that one learn. And after a few words, let him say further: let the one who learns be in obedience, the one who distributes, let him distribute with joy, the one who serves let us serve with zeal. Let us not all be tongues, If this is the closest thing, neither all are apostles, nor all are prophets, nor all are interpreters. And after some words he also says: Why do you make yourself a shepherd, being a sheep? Why do you become a head, being a foot ? Why do you attempt to be a military commander, having been placed in the ranks of soldiers? And in another place wisdom commands: do not be quick in words; do not prostrate the poor with the rich; do not seek the wise, be the wisest. If anyone is found to be violating this rule: let him be excommunicated from church communion for forty days.”
Chairman of the Department of Religious Education and Catechesis
Vyborg diocese,
rector of St. Elias Church in Vyborg
Archpriest Igor Viktorovich Aksyonov.

As you know, the first three centuries of Christian history were marked by periodically recurring persecutions. In such conditions, it was necessary to develop a whole system of secret signs with the help of which it was possible to identify brothers in faith.

In addition, the theology of the image also developed. Christians were looking for symbols with the help of which they could allegorically convey to the catechumens the truths of faith contained in the Gospel, and decorate the premises for worship, so that the very setting would remind them of God and set them up for prayer.

This is how a number of original early Christian symbols appeared, about which there will be a further short story.

1. Fish

The most common symbol of the first centuries was the fish (Greek “ichthys”). The fish was an acronym (monogram) of the name of Jesus Christ and, at the same time, a Christian confession of faith:
Jesus Christ Feou Ios Sotir - Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.

Christians depicted fish on their houses - in the form of a small picture or as a mosaic element. Some wore fish around their necks. In catacombs adapted for temples, this symbol was also very often present.

2. Pelican

Associated with this bird beautiful legend, existing in dozens of slightly different versions, but very similar in meaning to the ideas of the Gospel: self-sacrifice, deification through the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ.

Pelicans live in the coastal reeds near the warm Mediterranean Sea and are often subject to snake bites. Adult birds feed on them and are immune to their poison, but chicks are not yet. According to legend, if a pelican chick is bitten by a poisonous snake, it will peck at its own breast in order to give them blood with the necessary antibodies and thereby save their lives.

Therefore, the pelican was often depicted on sacred vessels or in places of Christian worship.

3. Anchor

The Church is, first of all, the solid foundation of human life. Thanks to him, a person gains the ability to distinguish good from evil, understands what is good and what is bad. And what could be firmer and more reliable than an anchor that holds a huge ship of life in place in the stormy sea of human passions?

Also - a symbol of hope and the future resurrection from the dead.

By the way, on the domes of many ancient temples it is precisely the cross in the form of an ancient Christian anchor that is depicted, and not any “cross defeating the Muslim crescent.”

4. Eagle over the city

A symbol of the heights of the truths of the Christian faith, uniting the entire population of the Earth. It has survived to this day in the form of bishop’s eagles, used at ceremonial services. Also indicates the heavenly origin of the power and dignity of the episcopal rank.

5. Chrism

A monogram composed of the first letters of the Greek word “Christ” - “Anointed One”. Some researchers mistakenly identify this Christian symbol with the double-edged ax of Zeus - “Labarum”. The Greek letters “a” and “ω” are sometimes placed along the edges of the monogram.

Christianity was depicted on the sarcophagi of martyrs, in the mosaics of baptisteries (baptisteries), on the shields of soldiers and even on Roman coins - after the era of persecution.

6. Lily

A symbol of Christian purity, purity and beauty. The first images of lilies, judging by the Song of Songs, served as decoration for the Temple of Solomon.

According to legend, on the day of the Annunciation, Archangel Gabriel came to the Virgin Mary with a white lily, which has since become a symbol of Her purity, innocence and devotion to God. With the same flower, Christians depicted saints, glorified by the purity of their lives, martyrs and martyrs.

7. Grapevine

The symbol is associated with an image that the Lord himself often addressed in his parables. It denotes the Church, its vitality, the abundance of grace, the Eucharistic sacrifice: “I am the vine, and my father is the vinedresser...”.

It was depicted on church utensils and, of course, in temple ornaments.

8. Phoenix

The image of the Resurrection, associated with the ancient legend of the eternal bird. The Phoenix lived for several centuries and, when the time came for him to die, he flew to Egypt and burned there. All that was left of the bird was a pile of nutritious ashes in which, after some time, new life. Soon a new, rejuvenated Phoenix rose from it and flew away in search of adventure.

9. Lamb

Everyone understands the symbol of the voluntary sacrifice of the immaculate Savior for the sins of the world. In early Christianity it was often depicted with human face or with a halo (sometimes there was a combined version). Later he was prohibited from being depicted in icon painting.

10. Rooster

A symbol of the general resurrection that awaits everyone at the Second Coming of Christ. Just as the crowing of a rooster awakens people from sleep, the trumpets of angels will awaken people at the end of time to meet the Lord, Last Judgment and inheritance of new life.

There are other early Christian symbols that are not included in this selection: the cross, dove, peacock, bowl and baskets of bread, lion, shepherd, olive branch, sun, good shepherd, alpha and omega, ears of bread, ship, house or Brick wall, source of water.

Andrey Szegeda

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