Shield of the Trinity
Now on display in the back of the church and used as the backdrop of the small alter, this beautiful window was once over the entrance of the church (see below). This Christian symbol expresses the aspects of the Holy Trinity, summarizing the first part of the Athanasian Creed [PDF].
The following set of propositions taken from the Athanasian Creed:
These propositions are often pictorially represented in church windows and the theology is explained by this diagram.
The Shield of the Trinity window can be seen here in its original location which was over the left entrance door of the Church.
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The left hand panel of the back window (or what used to be the front windows) depicts the anchor cross. The anchor symbolizes hope and steadfastness, as drawn from Hebrews 6:19, St. Paul speaks of hope as "an anchor of the soul", hence the origin.
The anchor was used in this sense as far back as the Roman catacombs and was carved into old Christian gems.
The Latin (or Roman) Cross is represents the cross of Jesus's crucifixion. Here, the cross also bears the crown of thorns which was places on Christ's head by Roman soldiers before the crucifiction. The crown of thorns is a symbol of grief and tribulation, and like the cross itself, also represents Christ's sacrifice.
The IHS is a sacred monogram or Christogram, an abbreviation of the Greek name ΙΗΣΟΥΣ. The IHS is featured here in the center of the window.
IHS featured in Signs & Symbols in Christian Art
by George Ferguson (1955).
IHS featured in The Sign Language of Our Faith
by Helen Stuart Griffith (1947).
The white lily representing the Virgin Mary, is depicted in this beautiful window.
Helen Stuart Griffith explained that the the white and gold lily is fraught with sacred meaning more than any other flowers, except perhaps for the rose.
The lily blooms around Eastertide and is also a symbol of the Resurrection.
See also: Fleur-de-lis.
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