Algiz as a Christian Symbol

Runes were the letters used in various Germanic languages before the adoption of the Latin alphabet, and they continued to be used for specialized purposes thereafter.  The Rune ᛉ (Algiz) is of some interest to Christians because it is often seen in ecclesiastical ornamentation.  If you make the mistake of trying to research this Rune online most of what you will discover is information about neo-pagan beliefs about the Algiz.  These neo-pagan meanings were assigned to it just a little more than a hundred years ago. 

It is convenient that the Rune is roughly the shape of a cross.  The real significance for Christians can be found in the early Christian practice of using monograms for the names of Jesus Christ (Christogram).  The significance of the Algiz rune for Christians can be discovered by considering its use of the 7^th century  casket of St. Cuthbert.  “The Christogram [on the casket] is notably in runic writing, ihs xps ᛁᚻᛋ ᛉᛈᛋ,…The monogram reflects a runic variant of a partly Latinized XPS from Greek ΧΡΙCΤΟC, with the rho rendered as runic p and the eolc rune (the old Algiz rune z) used to render chi.”  The Algiz is most often seen in Christianity on what is called the semi-gothic chasuble.  The Christian priest, standing at the altar to celebrate mass (in persona Christi) wears the chasuble which signifies charity.  On the chasuble, the Algiz shaped orphreys are a monogram for the name Christ.