RCIA - First Communion Cross

This communion cross has many of the symbols of Holy Communion. On either side of the cross are the symbols of grapes and wheat, the ordinary elements that are used to make the bread and wine to be consecrated to become the Body and Blood of Jesus.

From top to bottom of the center or the cross are the Chi Ro, an early Christian symbol consisting of the first two letter for Christ in Greek. This was the symbol that the Emperor Constantine placed on his shield before he went into battle in the year 312 against his pagan enemies. Constantine made Christianity the religion of the Roman state. The cross in the middle of the medal signifies the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, through whom we have received salvation. The images of the Chalice and the Host symbolize the Body and Blood of Christ that we receive in Holy Communion.

At the bottom is the symbol of the fish. Besides the New Testament references to Jesus making the disciples “fishers of men” (Mark 1:17), many believe there were other reasons for using the fish as a Christian symbol. Early Christians first lived in societies in which Greek was the primary language. The original language of the New Testament is Greek. The Greek word for fish is ichthus, spelled: Iota Chi Theta Upsilon Sigma). That is an acrostic for "Jesus Christ, of God, the Son, the Savior" [Iesous (Jesus) CHristos (Christ) THeou (of God) Uiou (the Son) Soter (the Savior). The symbol was simple to draw and was often used among Christians as a type of password during times of persecution by the Roman government. If two strangers met and were unsure whether each other was a Christian, one would draw an arc in the earth like:). If the other were a Christian, they would complete the symbol with a reverse arc: (), forming the outline of a fish.

This 3.5 in. cast bronze cross is not only a wonderful gift for a participant in an RCIA program or as a First Communion Gift, it is also a wonderful gift for any special occasion.