| The Zippo Constantine is one of the hundreds of | | | | There is an interesting aspect of the Saint Benedict |
| beautiful custom designed lighters made by the Zippo | | | | medallion and, therefore, the Zippo Constantine. |
| Manufacturing Company in its 77 year history. The | | | | Although it is beautifully elegant, especially when it is |
| Zippo Company has made custom lighter cases | | | | rendered in gold or copper, its message is very |
| representing thousands of different subjects over | | | | simple. |
| the years. Some of the subjects have been | | | | One side of the lighter case shows a picture of St. |
| Hollywood celebrities, sports, animals, musicians, | | | | Benedict with a shepherd's crook. This picture |
| bands, military heroes, military insignia, good luck | | | | represent him as a simple shepherd caring for his |
| signs, funny sayings and promotional lighters for | | | | flock. It emphasizes his belief and devotion to an |
| individual companies. All these cases and many, many | | | | uncomplicated and non-material way of life. The other |
| more have graced the more than 400,000,000 Zippo | | | | side of the Zippo Constantine lighter has a elaborately |
| lighters sold since 1933. | | | | engraved cross. The cross is has a circle around it. |
| The Zippo Constantine lighter got its name because | | | | Letters in a script style that evokes Byzantine art |
| the lighter case is made in the style of the Byzantine | | | | cover the circle and the cross. The letters represent |
| art from the era of the Emperor Constantine. The | | | | the initial letters of Latin words. The words for the |
| case is available in four different types of metal: | | | | four Latin phrases identify the cross and present |
| brass, silver, copper and gold leaf. It is covered with | | | | Benedictine philosophy in a clear and succinct way. |
| an intricate design that mimics the detailed carved | | | | The four phrases are: |
| filigree combined with the religious themes common | | | | •Crux Sancti Patris Benedict – Cross of Holy |
| to Byzantine art. | | | | Father Benedict. |
| The Zippo Constantine case is a replication of the | | | | •Crux Santa Sit Mihi Lux – May the Holy Cross |
| medallion of Saint Benedict. Saint Benedict was the | | | | be my light. |
| founder of the Benedictine order of monks. He | | | | •Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux – Let not the Dragon |
| created the Rule of Benedict which was a treatise on | | | | be my guide |
| not only the right way to live as a monk spiritually | | | | •Vade Retro, Satana. Nunquam Suade Mihi Vana; |
| but also the right way to live within a religious | | | | Sunt Mala Quae Libas; Ipse Venena Bibas – |
| community and how religious communities should live | | | | Begone, Satan and suggest not to me thy vain |
| with the outside secular community. These monks | | | | things; the Cup thou offer me is evil; drink thou thy |
| were known for their simple, pious way of life. Their | | | | poison. |
| example of simple devotion, hard work in the fields | | | | The medallion and lighter case make the simple |
| and the practice of sharing the virtues of education in | | | | injunction that all people should follow the precepts of |
| the arts and sciences won them many converts. | | | | the Christian Church and not be seduced by the wiles |
| Long before the Reformation led by Martin Luther, | | | | and attractive vanities of the Devil. The Zippo |
| the Benedictines lived in self-governing communities | | | | Constantine is not only a high quality gemlike lighter |
| and acknowledged only one monastic leader, the | | | | but a simple life guidepost in elegant filigree gold. |
| Pope. | | | | |