These crosses, emblems, flags, and banners express the Apostolic, Roman, Ruthenian, and pontifical identity of the Church and State.
Sacred and Pontifical Emblems
Roman-Ruthenian Cross
The outer cross is a three-bar pontifical cross, a variation of the patriarchal cross. At its base are the “Chi Rho” Greek letters for Christ. Together that is sometimes used by itself, and the cross alone is seen in the sceptre of the coat of arms of the Papa-Catholicos. Inside the outer cross is the Eastern or Orthodox cross, also with three bars. On either side of the main bar are the letters in Russian/Cyrillic, “ИС ХС”, for Jesus Christ. Above that are the Latin letters INRI, for the proclamation hung on the cross by Pontius Pilate, meaning “Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews.” That shorter top bar of the Orthodox cross represents that proclamation. Above that are the Greek letters “Alpha and Omega,” and the Russian/Cyrillic letters НИКА, from the Greek meaning victory.
Pontifical Eagle
This is the most commonly-used emblem of the Church and the Pontifical Imperial State of Rome-Ruthenia. The pontifical eagle is a black, double-headed imperial eagle representing the Roman Empire. The eagle holds an orb, representing Christ’s dominion over the world, and a sceptre with the three-barred pontifical cross. Each head of the eagle is crowned with a gold imperial crown. Above the entire eagle is the pontifical insignia, which is the tiara with a crossed apostolic key of St. Peter the Apostle and St. Stephen the Apostle and Deacon and sword of Sts. Mark and Paul.
Pontifical Insignia
The pontifical insignia is the triple-crown tiara with a crossed key and sword. The apostolic key represents St. Peter the Apostle and St. Stephen the Apostle and Deacon, and the sword is of both the Apostles Mark and Paul. The pontifical insignia is used in the pontifical eagle and the coats of arms. Sometimes it is used by itself.
Flags and Banners
Flag of the Pontifical Imperial State of Rome-Ruthenia
The flag of the Pontifical Imperial State is a combination of the colours of the Roman State (red and yellow) and the pan-Slavic colours of the Pontifical Kingdom of Ruthenia (white, blue, red). Together these also form the traditional colours of the Pontifical Imperial Household. On the yellow field is the coat of arms of the Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia. This flag may be used by all affiliated with the Pontifical Imperial State and the United Roman-Ruthenian Church. The personal flag of the Supreme Pontiff is a variation of this flag.
Flag of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church
The flag represents the Curia of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church. It is the traditional flag of the Roman State with the pontifical insignia on the red field.
Banner of Christus Omnipotens
The Banner of Christus Omnipotens is the banner of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church. When flown, it flies above all other flags. It consists of a depiction of Christ the Pantokrator on a red field. On either side are ten crosses of St. Stephen (in gold) arrayed around a gold pontifical eagle.