| Sanctuary Windows |
The Church symbol for the Apostle St. Matthias is in the first panel left, upper half of the window. This is an open Bible and double battleaxe. The Bible symbolizes his call. The battleaxe indicates his martyrdom—death by this weapon.
The Church symbol for the Apostle St. Matthew is in the first panel left, lower half of the window. Here are three purses, recalling the fact that he was a tax-gatherer when Jesus told him to leave all and follow him.
The Church symbol for the Apostle St. James the Less is in the second panel left, upper half of the window. This Apostle was a Miller by trade, hence the symbol of the wind-mill.
The Church symbol for the Apostle St. Philip is in the second panel left, lower half of the window. This symbol is the patriarchal cross (double cross) and spear. Tradition attributed him to being the first bishop who had assisting bishops. In modern ecclesiastical parlance we would say he was the first Archbishop. An Archbishop is a Patriarch in the Orthodox branches of Christianity, hence the patriarchal cross. It is said St. Philip suffered a martyr’s death, either by crucifixion or the spear.
The Church symbol for the Apostle of St. Thomas is in the third panel left, lower half of the window. The symbol is a spear and a Bible. Up until his time, the Holy Scriptures had been used exclusively for the Hebrew race. He saw his Christian mission and revealed and taught the scriptures to the Gentiles. Tradition says he was shot with arrows, stoned and left dying alone. A pagan priest then ran a spear through him.
The Church symbol for the Apostle St. James the Greater is in the first panel right, upper half of the window. The symbol consists of three shells. This Apostle labored mostly in the city of Jerusalem and is said to have been its first bishop. The shells represent the city. Today we would say the shells were the city’s coat of arms. St. James is also said to have traveled and preached in Spain and again the shells would be the symbol of pilgrimage by the sea.
The Church symbol for the Apostle St. Jude is in the first panel right, lower half of the window. The symbol consists of a small ship. In his preaching mission St. Jude traveled a great deal by ship. On one such journey there was a long calm. Many sailors starved and died. St. Jude prayed for wind to fill the sails. His prayer was answered and many, including himself, were saved.
The Church symbol for the Apostle St. John is in the second panel right, upper half of the window. This symbol depicts a chalice from which rises a serpent. It is said that an attempt was made on his life by giving him a poisoned chalice. Tradition says he was celebrating the Holy Communion in Antioch and the poison in the chalice turned into a serpent which scampered away.
The Church symbol for the Apostle St. Simon is in the second panel right, lower half of the window. The symbol shows a fish lying on a book, denoting that he was a fisher of men through preaching the Gospel.
The symbol for the Apostle St. Bartholomew is in the third panel right, upper half of the window. Here is show three flaying, or skinning knives. Traditional says this Apostle was skinned to death by three men. Then he was crucified and decapitated.
The Church symbol for the Apostle St. Peter is in the third panel right, lower half of the window. The crossed keys symbolize this great Apostle. Matthew 16:19 says of St. Peter: “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”