Sunday, December 23, 2007

IC XC NIKA

Eucharistic bread in the Eastern Orthodox Church, so far as I understand the practice, is stamped with the following initials:
IC XC
NIKA

The first set of two letters are the Greek letters for the first and last letters of "Jesus." The second set of two letters are the Greek letters for the first and last letters of "Christ" (also "Messiah" and "Anointed One"). The last word, "nika" means "conquers" (see Romans 12:21, 1 John 5:4 and Romans 8:37). The verbal form of this word is all over 1 John and the Book of Revelation.

What wonderful words as we break the Bread: Jesus Christ Conquers!

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