The Chi-Rho Monogram or Chrismon

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The Chi-Rho Monogram or Chrismon, Sarcophagus of Domitilla (c. 350)

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The Sarcophagus of Domitilla (c. 350), in the Vatican Museums, sports a beautiful image of the Chi-Rho symbol, one of the earliest forms of a Christogram.

Also known as a Chrismon, the Chi-Rho monogram is formed by superimposing the first two letters, Chi and Rho (ΧΡ), of the Greek word for Christ (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ) in such a way that the vertical stroke of the Rho intersects the centre of the Chi.  

The facade of the church of San Giovanni in Laterano is also crowned with the Chi-Rho. 

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San Giovanni in Laterano