The Christian Symbols

Usually the loculi's were closed with marble slabs and the names of the deceased and Christian symbols of the third century were coined.

1. The Good shepherd: Represents Christ the good shepherd. Historically it derived from a pagan symbol "orfeo", but then the Christians transformed it into a Christian symbol.

2. The Orant (Orante): The soul saved by Christ and lived in the divine peace. The soul is in the position of prayer because she is now lived in the presence of God in eternal peace.

3. The Fish: Symbol of Christian identity, this was commonly used during the persecution period. It symbolized Christ. It derived from Greek work " ΙΧΦΥS". This word gives origin to an acrostic meaning: Iesus Xristos Theos Ious Soter (Jesus Christ Son of God the Savior). It was also utilized as the first creed of the first Christian community.

4. The Monogram of Christ: It derived from the first two words of Christós in Greek, for Christ. It is composed of the first two words X (chi) and P (ro). Historically, this symbol was first utilized by emperor Constantine, he order that the symbol be coined in the front side of the shield, during the battle against emperor Maxentius.

5. The Ancor: Symbol of Hope (in the resurrection and in eternal life). From the catechetical point of view, the upper circle represents "God the Father", the Cross-like symbol of "God the Son", the dove like symbol of "God the Spirit" and the semi-circle symbol of humanity. In order that the humanity (imperfect) reach to the Father (The Perfect) needs to pass though the Son and the Holy Spirit.

6. Dove with olive twig in it's beak: Rest in peace. It is symbol of reward that the soul had reach eternal peace.

NB: As we notice there is no Roman Cross yet, because it was not officially used as Christian symbol; it became an official symbol only in the fourth century onward.