This very Unique Italian souvenir medal emits glorious poetic lustre and aged patina!
It features the Labarum Or Chi-Rho Symbol. The central PAX Cross stands for Peace. Flanking it are the Greek A & Ω symbols - stand for the phrase: "I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last". Also featured is a Fish or Ichthus: Why is the Fish a Christian Symbol?
The fish is thought to have been chosen by the early Christians for several reasons:
- The Greek word for fish (ICHTUS), works as an acrostic for I = Jesus, C = Christ, TH = God's, U = Son, S = Savior (Also see Christian beliefs about Jesus Christ)
- The fish would not be an obvious Christian symbol to persecutors; It is said that during the persecution of the early church, a Christian meeting someone new would draw a single arc in the sand. If the other person was a Christian, he or she would complete the drawing of a fish with a second arc. If the second person was not a Christian, the ambiguity of the half-symbol would not reveal the first person as a Christian. Furthermore, according to tradition, ancient Christians, during their persecution by the Roman Empire in the first few centuries after Christ, used the fish symbol to mark meeting places and tombs, or to distinguish friends from foes: Recorded in one ancient story, when a Christian met a stranger in the road, the Christian sometimes drew one arc of the simple fish outline in the dirt. If the stranger drew the other arc, both believers knew they were in good company.
- Jesus' ministry is associated with fish: he chose several fishermen to be his disciples and declared he would make them "fishers of men."
The fish is also a symbol of baptism, since a fish is at home in the water.
The reverse is marked ITALY - with a blank surface, perfect for adding an engraved monogram or inscribed dedication.
Also, please visit our shop to browse our vast collection of Rare & Precious Holy Medals, Sacred Statuary, Handmade Jewelry, And Heavenly Vintage:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AveImmaculata?ref=si_shop
Size: 7/8" long x 5/8" wide