ICXC NIKA

ICXC NIKA. Abbreviation of the Greek phrase, “Jesus Christ has conquered,” the ICXC NIKA, arranged around a cross with the IC and XC at the top and the NI KA at the bottom, is both used iconographically and stamped on the top of the prosphora, the Offertory loaves baked especially for the Eucharist (q.v.). It is from this part of the loaf that the priest cuts out the portion, prior to the service, which serves as the consecrated host. Nika also refers to a historical event, the riots at the Hippodrome in Constantinople (q.v.) in 532, which nearly toppled the regime of the Emperor Justinian (q.v.). They did, however, provide him later with the opportunity to replace the church of the Holy Wisdom, destroyed by the rioters, with the splendid edifice that still stands today, Hagia Sophia (q.v.).