Synthesized answer
The "Alpha and Omega" symbol, derived from the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, expresses the confidence of orthodox Christians in the scriptural proofs of Our Lord's divinity [1]. This symbol originates from the Apocalypse, where Christ, and also the Father, are described as "the First and the Last" and "the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" [1]. Clement of Alexandria described the Word as "the Alpha and the Omega of Whom alone the end becomes beginning, and ends again at the original beginning without any break" [1]. Tertullian also alluded to Christ as the Alpha and Omega [2].
The symbol became prevalent in early Christianity, with its greatest vogue found in the monuments of that era [2]. The earliest dated inscription featuring this symbol is from 295 AD in Rome, though in that instance, Omega preceded Alpha [2]. The regular form of the symbol was a favorite among orthodox Christians from 364 AD onward and appeared in monuments throughout early Christendom [3]. The interpretation of these apocalyptic letters as signifying the source and conclusion of all things was understood in the fourth century [2]. The passages do not…
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From the book
← St. Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic Encyclopedia (1913) A and Ω by Maurice M. Hassett Alpha and Omega (in Jewish Theology) → From volume 1 of the work. 93422 Catholic Encyclopedia (1913) — A and Ω Maurice M. Hassett Α and Ω ( Alpha and Omega ).— Scriptural .—The first and the last letter of the Greek alphabet, employed from the fourth century as a symbol expressing the confidence of orthodox Christians in the scriptural proofs of Our Lord's divinity. This symbol was suggested by the Apocalypse, where Christ, as well as the Father, is "the First and the Last" (ii, 8); "the Alpha and Omega, the…
of Whom alone the end becomes beginning, and ends again at the original beginning without any break" ( Strom., IV, 25 ). Tertullian also alludes to Christ as the Alpha and Omega (De Monogamiâ, v), and from Prudentius (Cathemer., ix, 10) we learn that in the fourth century the interpretation of the apocalyptic letters was still the same: "Alpha et Omega cognominatus, ipse fons et clausula, Omnium quæ sunt, fuerunt, quæque post futura sunt." It was, however, in the monuments of early Christianity that the symbolic Alpha and Omega had their greatest vogue. The earliest date at which this symbol…
was in use before the Council of Nicæa (325) has not yet been settled definitely. If so, it was of very rare occurrence. In a fresco which dates from the middle of the fourth century in the "great cave" of the catacomb of Prætextatus, Α and Ω are found in connection with the monogrammatic cross. The oldest inscription in which the letters occur in their traditional form dates from 364. From this time on they were a favorite symbol of the orthodox Christians (the Arians regarded it with disfavour) and they are found on the monuments in all parts of early Christendom. The apocalyptic letters…
nnection with another symbol, usually the monogram of Christ, are much more common than those of the two former classes. The minuscular form ω is, in nearly all cases, represented, though some examples of Ω occur in the monuments of Africa and Spain. The words "Alpha and Omega" continued in use in the Mozarabic Liturgy; also in the ancient Irish Liturgy, e.g. in the famous Communion-hymn in the Antiphonary of Bangor. Kraus , Real-Encyklopadie , I, 60–62; Leclercq in Dict. d'archéol. et de lit. , I, 1–25. Maurice M. Hassett .
afterwards came to be known, roused the whole of the Western Church and threw the temporizers of the East into disorder. In this statement the assembled prelates, while declaring their confession in "One God, the Father Almighty, and in His only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, generated from Him before the ages," recommended the disuse of the terms οὑσία (essence or substance), ὁμοούσιον (identical in essence, or substance), and ὁμοιούσιον (similar in essence, or substance), "by which the minds of many are perturbed"; and they held that there "ought to be no mention of any of them at…
More questions about this book
- How would you explain the significance and scope of the *Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)* to someone unfamiliar with it, detailing its purpose, structure, and the historical context of its publication?
- How does the detailed explanation of the "Alpha and Omega" symbol serve as an example of the *Catholic Encyclopedia's* stated purpose to provide "authoritative information on the entire cycle of Catholic interests, action and doctrine"?
- The text notes that the "Alpha and Omega" symbol had its "greatest vogue" in early Christian monuments, with an inscription from 295 AD where the Omega takes precedence. What might this specific detail, particularly the order of the letters, imply about the early understanding or representation of the symbol's theological message?
- How do the various scriptural references from the Apocalypse, combined with the interpretations from early Church Fathers like Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian, collectively build and reinforce the symbolic meaning of Alpha and Omega regarding Christ's divinity?