Fraternity Insignia

As postulants, you will wear a Postulant Pin at all times. It signifies to the campus that you have affiliated yourself with Alpha Chi Rho. The symbol which appears on the pin is called the Labarum; it is a symbol that is made up of the Greek letters Chi and Rho.

Your postulant pin is to be worn over your heart. A good way to remember the proper placement of your Postulant Pin is to count three buttons down from the collar (of a dress shirt, for example) and three fingers widths to the left of the button. Never wear your Postulant Pin on the lapel of a jacket; keep it close to your heart . The same guidelines apply to your Brothers Badge that you receive upon initiation into Alpha Chi Rho.

The Roman Emperor Constantine, like most Romans of his time, did not believe in Christianity. However, according to 4th-century historian Eusebius, before the victory over Maxentius (312), Constantine saw a sign of the cross in the sky and the words "in this sign thou shalt conquer" and used it as a talisman in battle. The Labarum was thereafter carried as the special badge of the Imperial Roman Army.

Alpha Chi Rho makes use of two forms of the Labarum. The ancient form of the Labarum is the chief public form of the Fraternity. In addition to the Postulant Pin, the Labarum appears pre dominantly on the Fraternity ensign (flag). The other form of the Labarum is its modified configuration, which is significant in the Ritual of the Fraternity (which you will learn later). Also, it is the form used on the Brother's Badge. The Badge is made up of a modified Labarum mounted on an oval; a torch and hand extended from the center of the Labarum. The meaning of the Badge is esoteric (secret) and known only to Brothers.

The Alpha Chi Rho coat-of-arms is on a Norman shield bearing a St. Andrew's cross, which is placed over a brown crook and between two burning torches. A small area of blue in the upper left corner bears three golden crowns. A silver helmet is placed above the shield, from which extends an outstretched hand with a red, seven-pointed star on the cuff. A gold-hilted sword and brown crook are crossed beneath the shield.

- Postulant Program