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Landmarks of Alpha Chi Rho
A society or organization usually has a platform of principles stating more or less in detail its distinctive aims, characteristics, and ideals, which distinguish it from all other societies and organizations. Alpha Chi Rho has such a platform of principles and ideals, called the "LANDMARKS" of the Fraternity. The Landmarks are among the oldest and noblest of the traditions of Alpha Chi Rho, for they represent what our Founders conceived to be the basis for an ideal brotherhood.
The Landmarks are the key to understanding the Fraternity, for without them there could be no Alpha Chi Rho. Four in number, they are summarized as follows:
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Membership from among those who are prepared to realize in word and deed, the Brotherhood of all men.
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The insistence on a high and clean moral standard.
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The paramount duty of Brotherly love among members.
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Judgement not by externals, but by intrinsic worth; no one is denied membership in Alpha Chi Rho because of race, creed, or nationality.
These are the Landmarks of Alpha Chi Rho, its foundation and its heritage. The ideals they express are to be lived out by every member of Alpha Chi Rho, not only during his college days, but throughout his life. They are epitomized in the exoteric motto of the Fraternity which is:

"Be Men" Pronounced - "An-drééth-es-táy"
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The Labarum
This symbol, made up of the Greek letters Chi and Rho, appears on both the Postulant badge and the ensign (flag) of the fraternity. It was originally adopted by the Emperor Constantine, who seeing it in the sky on the eve of a battle against a Christian army, heard what he believed to be the voice of God. The voice said, "In hoc signo vinces", or "In this sign you shall conquer". He then joined the Christians to become the first Christian Emperor of the Roman Empire. The Labarum was thereafter carried as the special badge of the Imperial Roman Army. The Labarum was an early Christian symbol for Christ.
The Brothers Badge
The other form of the Labarum is its modified configuration, which is significantly in the Ritual of the Fraternity. Also, it is a 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 Coat of Arms
The shield is made up of a garnet colored St. Andrew's cross, bisected by a shepherd's crook, on a silver background, with a torch either side of the crook. On the top left hand corner of the shield is a small blue field containing three gold crowns- the coat of arms of Trinity College, where our mother chapter was founded. Underneath the shield can be seen the hilt of a sword, and the top of a shepherd's crook. The shield is crowned by a helmet from which emanates a hand with a seven-pointed star on its wrist. The motto can be seen below the shield. |
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