THE SYMBOLS SPEAK How symbols display the faith

THE SYMBOLS SPEAK How symbols display the faith of believers through the beauty of stained glass THE EAST WINDOW “The Apostles”

In 1966, in the E A S T w i n d o w s, stained glass, replacing the plain glass, was installed with the. . .

E A S T. . . 14 symbols already embedded in them

THE APOSTLES The East Window

THE APOSTLES. . . Jesus called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles. . . Luke 6. 13 Disciple = learner Apostle = one sent out 14 symbols

Each symbol displays either an event from the life of the apostle or symbolizes how he was martyred. Each apostle is recognized on a certain day of our church year, noted underneath the symbol.

1 SIMON (PETER) < < Two crossed keys showing authority to forgive and retain sins (Mt 16. 19) Authority was given to church based on Peter’s confession “Thou art. . ” (Mt 16. 16) < Jun 29 < Peter (Greek=rock) Cephas (Aramaic=rock) Wrote 2 epistles of NT

ANDREW 2 < < < X-shaped cross shows the manner in which he was crucified--on a cross of this design It came to be known as the “St Andrew” cross He brought Peter, his brother, to Jesus (Jn 1. 40 -42) Nov 30

JAMES the Elder 3 < < Jul 25 The 3 shells are signs of pilgrimage & the missionary spirit of James traveled widely with the message of Christ Brother of John First apostle to die (Acts 12. 2)

JOHN 4 < < < Dec 27 Chalice with serpent It was said that John drank poison and survived John, the last apostle to die, was the only one who didn’t die a martyr’s death Brother of James Wrote the Gospel, 3 Epistles, & Revelation

THOMAS (Didymus-twin) 5 < < < Dec 21 Spear and carpenter’s square The square indicates he was a builder (India) Spear shows how he died Thomas needed visible proof to strengthen his faith (Jn 20) Known as “Doubting Thomas”

MATTHEW 6 < < < Sep 21 Three money bags are a reminder of the previous profession of Matthew--a tax collector (Mt 9. 9 -13) He is also called Levi Wrote the Gospel of Matthew

BARTHOLOMEW 7 < < Bible with a knife The knife is a symbol of how he died--he was flayed (skinned) alive Also called Nathanael The first disciple to call Jesus the Son of God (Jn 1. 49) Aug 24

JAMES the Younger 8 < < < May 1 Picture of a saw Shows how he died-said to be killed in Persia for his faith and then sawn in two Also known as James the Less (Mk 15. 40)

PHILIP 9 < < A cross and 2 loaves of bread Reminder of the feeding of the 5000 when Philip doubted Jesus’ power (Mt 14. 13 -21) < May 1 Brought Nathanael to Jesus

JUDE 10 < < < Oct 28 Ship with a plain white sail--different from the symbol for the Church Jude sailed away for missionary service in distant lands Also known as Judas, son of James, or Thaddaeus

PAUL 11 < < < Jan 25 < Bible with double-edge sword behind it “Spiritus Gladius” is written on the pages of the Bible: “The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God” (Eph 6. 27) Known as the Apostle to the Gentiles Wrote most of NT

MATTHIAS 12 < < < Bible with doublesided ax Shows Matthias’ martyrdom--he was beheaded Matthias was chosen as the replacement apostle for Judas (Acts 1) Feb 29

13 SIMON the Zealot < < < Oct 28 Fish on top of Bible Illustrates that Simon was a fisher of men by the power of the Word Belonged to the political party of the Zealots

14 JUDAS ISCARIOT < < Blank shield Disciple who betrayed Jesus Nothing desirable to remind us of his betrayal, therefore no symbol Even though blank, it sends a powerful message

SUMMARY Two sets of brothers Peter and Andrew James and John All but one was a martyr Only John died naturally The additional 2 apostles Paul Matthias

SUMMARY Five had more than 1 name Simon=Peter=Simon Peter=Cephas Thomas=Didymus (twin) Matthew=Levi Bartholomew=Nathanael Jude=Judas=Thaddaeus Three had the same name Simon Peter and Simon the Zealot James the Elder and James the Younger Judas son of James and Judas Iscariot

Be thou faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev 2. 10)

The East Window

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