Symbols in Stained Glass

The Altar Window in the East end of the Church has as its central feature The Ever Present Christ, risen and ascended, the Crown representing his eternal Kingship.  The Trinity is completed by the presence of the hands of God and the Dove representing the Holy Spirit that descended upon Christ at his Baptism.  The Cross Triumphant with orb as its base is seen in Christ’s left hand.

The medallions in the side windows are winged figures representing the gospels: The upper left being the face of a man, indicative of the Gospel of St. Matthew since herein is traced Jesus’ human genealogy; the upper right the face of a lion, indicative of the Gospel of St. Mark, because his gospel narrative begins with the “voice of one crying in the wilderness” suggesting the roar of a lion; the lower right the face of an ox, the animal of sacrifice, indicative of St. Luke, since he stresses the atoning sacrifice of Jesus; and the lower left the face of an eagle, indicative of St. John, since he rises to the loftiest heights in dealing with the mind of Christ.

On each side of the church the series of windows depict in their medallions significant events in the life of Christ.  Beginning in the narthex on the Gospel side and going up into the choir we see five windows showing The Annunciation, The Birth, The Baptism, The Receiving of Little Children and Preaching in His Home Synagogue.  On the Epistle side of the Nave and running to the Narthex are three windows showing the Crucifixion, The Resurrection and The Coming of the Holy Spirit.

The window in the West end of the Church over the main entrance was originally installed in the first Church building in October 1939.  Its inscription to the Holy God stresses the awesome majesty of our God as depicted in Isaiah and in Revelation.

Symbols in Embroidery

The symbols found on our hand embroidered altar rail kneeler were lovingly embroidered by many of the women of our church and feature the church seasons interspersed with the Trinity Cross.

Advent is represented by the Alpha and Omega; the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet with signify that Jesus is the beginning and the end of all things.  Christmas features The Rose, symbol of the Nativity and the Messianic prophecy, as well as the Epiphany Star or the Five pointed Star of Jacob representing the ”manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles”.

Lent is represented by the Crown of Thorns.  Easter features the Lamb representing the victorious nature of His Sacrifice; also the Dove which is the symbol for the Holy Spirit representing Pentecost.  Trinity is represented by the Three Fish symbolizing the three in one; The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

The Acolyte kneelers depict winged figures representing the four Gospels; The face of a man, indicative of the Gospel of St. Matthew since herein is traced Jesus’ human genealogy; the face of a lion, indicative of the Gospel of St. Mark, because his gospel narrative begins with “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” suggesting the roar of a lion; the face of an ox, the animal of sacrifice, indicative of St. Luke, since he stresses the atoning sacrifice of Jesus; and the face of an eagle, indicative of St. John, since he rises to the loftiest heights in dealing with the mind of Christ.

The Clergy and Acolyte Tri-Seat cushions feature: The Jerusalem Cross which usually has four small crosses between the arms, the five crosses symbolizing the five wounds of our Lord.  The Anchor Cross was used by the early Christians in the Catacombs.  The Trifold indicates the doctrine of the equality, unity and co-eternal nature of the three persons of the Trinity.

The Bishop’s chair cushion has a Mitre embroidered on it.  This is symbolic of the Bishop’s Office, as this is the traditional headpiece of Bishop’s and emblematic of the highest order of the Ministry.

Symbols in Wood

The IHS on the front of the Altar is the first three letters of Jesus in Greek.  The sword and the Bible with the Latin words Spiritus Gladius (The Sword of the Spirit) on the lectern are from St. Paul’s writings.  The shield on the pulpit with the Chi and Rho represent the first two letters of Christ in Greek.

The Bishop’s Chair sits on the Gospel side of the Altar in the Sanctuary and has a carved mitre on its back.  This is symbolic of the Bishop’s Office, as this is the traditional headpiece of Bishops and emblematic of the highest order of the ministry.