Lenten Journey
discover the secrets of the chancel screen
discover the secrets of the chancel screen
Cross Nowy
Our Lenten Meditation Series
Every Day in Lent,
view a different image,
read a different story,
about our Chancel Screen.
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photos by Tim Schultz
THE CHANCEL SCREEN OF SAINT JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The chancel screen was designed by the architect, Edwin French of Roswell, New Mexico, a communicant of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Roswell. The various symbols were designed by John Miksovik, also a communicant of this parish and, later, of the St. John’s Cathedral in Albuquerque. They were executed by Richard C. Woodcock and several assistants, all communicants of this parish.
The screen seeks to tell a story beginning with creation, and extending to the end times. The screen should be read from left to right. The screen starts with the Gospel Door, followed by nine panels composed of two vertical rows of symbols. The screen is completed by the Epistle Door on the extreme right.
The cross with a round disc at the junction of its limbs recurs throughout the screen is termed a Cross Nowy (shown above). The cross is the symbol of Christianity and the circle, wherever it is found, symbolizes eternity.
Over the Gospel and Epistle Doors are panels depicting four winged figures. These represent the four Evangelists. These symbols may be traced back almost to the beginning of the Christian era. They are the four winged creatures mentioned in the first chapter of the Book of Ezekiel, in the Old Testament, as well as in the fourth chapter of the Revelation of St. John the Divine, in the New Testament , namely the Winged Man, the Winged Lion, the Winged Calf or Ox and the Winged Eagle.
Some of the Church Fathers state that that the four symbols represent the four chief events of our Lord’s earthly life, namely:
The chancel screen was designed by the architect, Edwin French of Roswell, New Mexico, a communicant of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Roswell. The various symbols were designed by John Miksovik, also a communicant of this parish and, later, of the St. John’s Cathedral in Albuquerque. They were executed by Richard C. Woodcock and several assistants, all communicants of this parish.
The screen seeks to tell a story beginning with creation, and extending to the end times. The screen should be read from left to right. The screen starts with the Gospel Door, followed by nine panels composed of two vertical rows of symbols. The screen is completed by the Epistle Door on the extreme right.
The cross with a round disc at the junction of its limbs recurs throughout the screen is termed a Cross Nowy (shown above). The cross is the symbol of Christianity and the circle, wherever it is found, symbolizes eternity.
Over the Gospel and Epistle Doors are panels depicting four winged figures. These represent the four Evangelists. These symbols may be traced back almost to the beginning of the Christian era. They are the four winged creatures mentioned in the first chapter of the Book of Ezekiel, in the Old Testament, as well as in the fourth chapter of the Revelation of St. John the Divine, in the New Testament , namely the Winged Man, the Winged Lion, the Winged Calf or Ox and the Winged Eagle.
Some of the Church Fathers state that that the four symbols represent the four chief events of our Lord’s earthly life, namely:
Images of the Winged Man: His Incarnation
the Winged Ox: His Sacrificial Death
the Winged Lion: His Resurrection
and the Winged Eagle: His Ascension
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the Winged Ox: His Sacrificial Death
the Winged Lion: His Resurrection
and the Winged Eagle: His Ascension
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Our Mission is to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel and to seek and serve Christ in all people.
St. John's Episcopal Church Mission Statement, January 2019
St. John's Episcopal Church Mission Statement, January 2019