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Nomina Sacra

Nomina Sacra

A Christogram is inscribed above the area where sacred items were kept behind the altar; it looks like a dollar sign but it is in fact the three Greek letters "iota eta sigma" (ΙΗΣ).
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I'm impressed that you knew this sign! Usually it's reserved knowledge among us cemetery buffs, and very few people outside of that world think of it as anything more than a dollar sign. :)
Dr Sketch
Thu 11-08-2007
This is where the tabernacle sp would be. where the body of Christ whould be as this is a Catholic Church .
kim
Fri 11-09-2007
The detail is astounding!
Kristiara
Fri 11-09-2007
Shows what little I know. I figured Harry Potter lived in there.
Weebs
Fri 11-09-2007
I see that sign in a lot of cemeteries here, thank you for the information Motts!
Jude
Fri 11-09-2007
Uneducated speculation: I believe the religious symbol stands for 'in his service.' I say this because the saying can still be found inscribed around the pulpit and display pieces in many churches today.
St. Andrew
Fri 11-09-2007
//I believe the religious symbol stands for 'in his service.' I say this because the saying can still be found inscribed around the pulpit and display pieces in many churches today.//


IHS are the first three letters of the word "Jesus" in Greek, as Motts pointed out above. That's why it's seen in many churches today. I have also heard that it's from the Latin "Iesus Hominum Salvator", or "Jesus, Savior of Men."

What you're describing it as is a backronym.
Beth
Sat 11-10-2007
Hay Mott, This is so cool. Thank you for your comments; I learn a lot about the west and the past !!!!
cj
Sat 11-17-2007
We liked to think of it as standing for "I have suffered" but we were taught it was the first three letter of Jesus' name in Greek, as Mr. Motts states above.
Martha RC
Wed 11-21-2007
Looking at this has hurt my head... granted it's late and all. Though I don't see 'sigma' in there Σ. But after some research, it is indeed sigma, but somehow Σ became C (more-so Latin) and then S. The Sacred Name is Jesus which loosely translates (first 3 letters) to IHC or IHS, which is inscribed above.

Hope this helps anyone else's headaches.
Farfig
Sat 01-26-2008
The destruction of Eden Hall has bothered me more than any other building on these urban exploration sites. It just seems like there had to be some alternative to tearing it down. It cannot be rebuilt. It was really a masterpiece.
Braxton Williams
Sat 01-26-2008
Your respect for Sacred things are eviedent in all these shots. Reverence is so unpopular these days and its refreshing to see it here Sir.
seedubya
Mon 01-18-2010

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