Meaning of IHS or JHS symbol on Sacramental bread

What is IHS or JHS?


IHS or JHS letters are found on the Holy Eucharist (sacramental bread ). Holy Eucharist represents body of christ. IHS or JHS is the 3 letter symbolic representation  of the name of Jesus Christ.Otherwise known as monograms / Christogram used for representing Jesus name. It is the short form of latin inscription "Iesus Hominum Salvator" or "Jesus Hominum Salvator" or "Jesus Hominis Salvatus".


The greek representation of "Jesus" is "ΙΗΣΟΥΣ", so "IHS" or "IHΣ" (First 3 letters of ΙΗΣΟΥΣ ) is also used as a Christogram. Ancient christian communities used this 3 letters to identify Name of Jesus. The Latin alphabet similar to the zigma ( Σ ) is S. So later IHΣ became IHS.

* Latin uses the letter "I" instead of the English "J", hence JHS and IHS means  Jesus.

The thought that should come to a christian's mind when he/she sees IHS is the following quotes from Holy Bible. Jesus is way, truth and life and His name is the only name given for salvation and His name is above everything. 


Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  John 14:6

 "Therefore God also highly exalted him     and gave him the name     that is above every name"   Philippians 2:9

  " There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."   Acts 4:12

Read about INRI or INBI seen on crucifix.


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