Editing Alpha and Omega (section)

==Christianity==
[[Alpha (letter)|Alpha]] (Α) and [[omega (letter)|omega]] (Ω) are the first and last letters, respectively, of the classical (Ionic) [[Greek alphabet]]. Thus, the phrase "I am the alpha and the omega" is further clarified with the additional phrase "the beginning and the end" in Revelation 21:6, 22:13, spoken by Jesus Christ to John the Divine. The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet were used because the book of Revelation is in the New Testament, which was originally written in Greek.

The phrase is interpreted by many Christians to mean that [[Jesus]] has existed for all [[eternity]] or that God is eternal. Many commentators and dictionaries ascribe the title "the alpha and the omega" to both God and to [[Christ (title)|Christ]].<ref>''The New Bible Dictionary'', edited by Alton Bryant; ''Bible Dictionary'' by Wm. Smith; and the ''International Standard Bible Encyclopedia''.</ref> ''Barnes' Notes on the New Testament'' (1974) claims: "It cannot be absolutely certain that the writer meant to refer to the Lord Jesus specifically here{{nbsp}}[...] There is no real incongruity in supposing, also, that the writer here meant to refer to God as such."<ref>''Notes on the New Testament, Explanatory and Practical'' by Albert Barnes. 1956, 1962, 1974. {{ISBN|978-0825422003}}.</ref> Most Christian denominations also teach that the title applies to God (Jesus Christ, the Father and the Holy Spirit).

The letters Alpha and Omega, in juxtaposition, are often used as a Christian visual symbol (see examples). The symbols were used in [[early Christianity]] and appear in the Roman [[catacombs]]. The letters were shown hanging from the arms of the cross in [[Early Christian art]], and some [[crux gemmata|cruces gemmatae]], jeweled crosses in precious metal, have formed letters hanging in this way, called [[pendilia]]; for example, in the [[:File:Escudo de Asturias.svg|Asturian coat of arms]], which is based upon the Asturian [[Victory Cross]]. In fact, despite always being in Greek, the letters became more common in Western than [[Eastern Orthodox]] Christian art. They are often shown to the left and right of Christ's head, sometimes within his [[halo (religious iconography)|halo]], where they take the place of the [[Christogram]] used in Orthodox art.

<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
File:Rom, Domitilla-Katakomben, Steintafel mit Inschrift, Alpha und Omega und Christussymbol Chi Rho.jpg|The [[Chi-rho]] symbol with Alpha and Omega, [[Catacombs of Rome#Catacombs of Domitilla|Catacombs of Domitilla]], [[Rome]]
File:Christ with beard.jpg|The Greek letters ''alpha'' and ''omega'' surround the [[Halo (religious iconography)|halo]] of Jesus in the catacombs of Rome from the 4th century.
File:ΑΩwindow.jpg|"ΑΩ" in stained glass
File:DE-ST 15-0-86-140 Friedensau COA.svg|Arms with Alpha and Omega
File:Flag of Asturias.svg|[[Flag of Asturias]]
</gallery>