Chi Rho, Cross, Stole and Keys
“The Chi‐Rho monogram is a combination of the first two letters for the Greek word of Christos, Christ.” This watercolor painting is a copy of a photo of the ceiling of the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Israel.
The stole the priest wears when hearing confessions is lavender or purple, the liturgical color for penance.
The symbol of keys represent Saint Peter.
“13 Then Jesus came into the neighbourhood of Caesarea Philippi; and there he asked his disciples, What do men say of the Son of Man? Who do they think he is? 14 Some say John the Baptist, they told him, others Elias, others again, Jeremy or one of the prophets. 15 Jesus said to them, And what of you? Who do you say that I am? 16 Then Simon Peter answered, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.[2] 17 And Jesus answered him, Blessed art thou, Simon son of Jona; it is not flesh and blood, it is my Father in heaven that has revealed this to thee. 18 And I tell thee this in my turn, that thou art Peter, and it is upon this rock that I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; 19 and I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20 Then he strictly forbade them to tell any man that he, Jesus, was the Christ.”