Oil lamps have been in used for thousands of years across cultures. The decorative elements also changed overtime to reflect the religious and cultural practices of the day.
At the Centre for Bible Engagement, we have in our small collection a number of replicas of oil lamps dated from the 1st century to the 5th century, with the latter period depicting clear Christian symbols such as a cross and christogram in the form of "Chi-Rho" after Christianity was declared as recognised religion in the Roman Empire, as seen in the photographs below. This is one example where Christianity deeply influenced the way of life and daily practices of the Christ-followers.
At the Centre for Bible Engagement, we have in our small collection a number of replicas of oil lamps dated from the 1st century to the 5th century, with the latter period depicting clear Christian symbols such as a cross and christogram in the form of "Chi-Rho" after Christianity was declared as recognised religion in the Roman Empire, as seen in the photographs below. This is one example where Christianity deeply influenced the way of life and daily practices of the Christ-followers.
From left to right: A replica of an oil lamp used during the 1st century period (source: Galilee, Israel); an oil lamp with the symbol of the cross (source: Greece), and another with the "Chi-Rho" christogram (source: Rome, Italy)
From left to right: A replica of an oil lamp used during the 1st century period (source: Galilee, Israel); an oil lamp with the symbol of the cross (source: Greece), and another with the "Chi-Rho" christogram (source: Rome, Italy)
All the replicas were acquired during our biblical study tours or personal trips. I would like to acknowledge the gift of the oil lamp replica with the symbol of the cross by one of the pilgrims in our study tour to Greece in May 2017.
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