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Labarum

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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==
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: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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