The Twelve
Sanctuary Windows
These twelve windows in the Sanctuary represent the twelve disciples. The architect planned this in 1963 when the building was designed and built. The Sanctuary Planning Committee kept this in mind when the plans for the new windows were being decided. Each window has a shield representing one Disciple. Eleven of the twelve windows have scenes from the Life of Christ. Representing the Old Testament, Window #1 has Moses coming down Mt. Sinai holding the Ten Commandment Tablets. A different cross was chosen to go at the top of each window.
Much thought and discussion was given by each member of the Planning Committee concerning what scenes, shields, crosses, and colors were to go into each window. The number sequence for the windows begins at the northwest (with Moses), goes to the northeast, then to the southeast, and the last window, #12, ends at the southwest (near the Pulpit). The Planning Committee hopes that we and our descendants will enjoy these beautiful windows for many years to come.
Below you’ll find a picture of each window, accompanied by separate pictures of each panel. Click on the panels to learn more about the stain glass images.
Window 1
Cross: The Tau Cross, So-called because of the resemblance to the Greek letter T. This is the original form of the cross.
Biblical Scene: Mt. Sinai, Moses is coming down Mt. Sinai with the tablets with the Decalogue on them. The Law is the centerpiece of the Old Testament. (Exodus 32:15-16)
Disciple: St. Bartholomew, (Apostle, Martyr) He was sometimes known as Nathaniel. Armenia and India are believed to have been the areas of his missionary work. He is said to have been flayed alive, beheaded, and crucified (thus the flaying knives).
Window 2
Click each section below for closer viewing and description:
Cross: The Canterbury Cross
Biblical Scene: Nativity (Luke 2:7)
Disciple: Judas Iscariot, Thirty pieces of silver with a money bag represent Judas’ betrayal of Jesus.
Window 3
Click each section below for closer viewing and description:
Cross: The Passion Cross, A form of the Latin Cross
Biblical Scene: Jesus Baptized (Mark 1:9-11)
Disciple: St James the Less (Apostle, Martyr), This symbol refers to the tradition that St. James was cast down from a pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem, beaten, stoned, and sawn asunder by the Jews.
Window 4
Click each section below for closer viewing and description:
Cross: The Jerusalem or Crusader’s Cross, Usually has four small crosses between the arms, the five crosses between the arms, the five crosses symbolizing the five wounds of our Lord. Worn by Godfrey de Bouillon, first ruler of Jerusalem after the liberation from the Moslems.
Biblical Scene: Jesus Teaching (Matthew 5:1-2)
Disciple: St. Simon (Apostle, Martyr), The companion of St. Jude on many missionary journeys, St. Simon was known as a great fisher of men through the power of the Gospel.
Window # 5
Disciple: St. John ( Apostle, Evangelist) This emblem of St. John, the Beloved Apostle, refers to the legend of a poisoned chalice being offered to him, in an attempt made on his life. The poison vanished in the form of a serpent.
Biblical Scene: Revelation 3:20 I am standing at the door, knocking: if you hear My voice an open the door, I will come in to you…
Cross: Th Iona or Celtic Cross: Dates back to early centuries of the Christian era. It was said to have been taken from what is now Ireland to the island of Iona by Columba in the 6th century.
Window # 6
Disciple: St. Thomas ( Apostle, Martyr) The patron of builders ( thus the carpenter’s square). He is said to have built a church with his own hands in East India. The spear refers to his supposed martyrdom at the hand of King Midsai for converting his queen to Christianity.
Biblical Scene: Mark 10: 13-15 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ” Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.
Cross: The Bottony Cross Sometimes called the Budded cross because of the moderate form of its trefoil ends. Hence it suggests the young or immature Christian.
Window # 7
Disciple: St. Jude ( Apostle, Martyr) The sailing vessel here ( with a mast in the shape of a cross) represents the Church, which St. Jude ( also known as Thaddeus or Lebbaeus) carried to many ports as he journeyed as a missionary.
Biblical Scene: John 10: 11, 14) I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep… I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.
Cross- The Anchor Cross: Which was used by the early Christians in the catacombs. Ancient Egyptian in its origin.
Window # 8
Disciple: St. James the Greater: ( Apostle, Martyr) The patron saint of Spain and of pilgrims. He is mentioned as the 1st of the disciples to go on a missionary journey. The escallop shells refer to pilgrimage.
Biblical Scene: Matthew 26: 26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said, ” Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ” Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Cross- The Calvary Cross: Sometimes called the Graded Cross. The 3 steps, from the top down, stand for Faith, Hope and Love.
Window # 9
Disciple: St. Philip: ( Apostle, Martyr) It was to St. Philip that Christ addressed his remark concerning the feeding of the multitude ( thus 2 loaves of bread). John 6 & 7 The budding cross refers to Philip’s successful missionary journeys among the barbarians where he spread the knowledge of Christianity.
Biblical Scene: Mark 14: 32, 35 They went to a place called Gethsemane and he said to his disciples, ” Sit here while I pray… ” And going a little further, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
Cross: The Pattee Fitched Cross: Resembles the Maltese Cross with the 4 arms pointed. A beautiful form of the cross used widely for decorative purposes.
Window # 10
Disciple: St. Matthew ( Apostle, Evangelist, Martyr) The moneybags refer to the occupation of St. Matthew before he was called to follow Christ. He was a tax gatherer known as Levi.
Biblical Scene: John 19: 17-18 So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him…
Cross- The Cross and Thorny Crown: The Latin cross, the most commonly used cross, with the crown of thorns.
Window # 11
Disciple: St. Andrew ( Apostle, Martyr) The patron of Russian, Scotland, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Andrew is symbolized by a cross shaped like an X. Because he was a fisherman, there are 2 fish crossed to form the X in the design.
Biblical Scene: John 20: 1, 11, 15-17 Early on the 1st day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magadalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb… Mary stood weeping outside the tomb… Jesus said to her, ” Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ” …tell me where you have laid him and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, ‘ Mary!” She turned and said to him, ” Rabbouni!” ( which means Teacher)> Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and to your God!”
Cross- The St. Andrew’s Cross or Saltire Cross: According to tradition St. Andrew was crucified on an X shaped cross, known as a saltire or St. Andrew’s cross in Achaia. He requested that he be crucified on a cross unlike that of his Lord.
Window # 12
Disciple: St. Peter ( Apostle, Martyr) Because he felt unworthy to die as had Christ, St. Peter requested that his cross be inverted so that he might look heavenward as he was crucified. Peter is symbolized by 2 keys which depict Jesus saying, I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
Biblical Scene: Rev 1: 4-6 Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come…. and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Cross- The Crown and the Cross: These symbolize the reward of the faithful in the life after death to those who believe in the crucified Savior. Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee the crown of life. ( Rev. 2:10)
Back of church/Narthex / Up in Balcony
Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane
Narthex/ Greek name for Jesus
