Jan 26 2014

The North Nave Windows

There are six windows in the nave and we will number them 1 to 6. Windows 1 to 3 are in the north wall of the nave (the left side of the church when facing the altar) with number 1 nearest to the altar and number 3 next to the porch door.

Windows 4 to 6 are in the south wall (the right side of the church when facing the altar) with number 4 next to the porch door and number 6 nearest to the altar. If you stand in the nave facing the altar and then turn left a full circle, you will see the windows in the order 1 to 6.

The windows all have the same decorative features but in different colours.

Each window has a different main detail. They say, “The devil is in the detail”.

Jan 26 2014

The sixth north transept window

In this window we see another dove representing the Holy Spirit [we can’t say why there should be two windows of doves].

The Holy Spirit is also associated with fire and the window shows flames emanating from the dove –
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance”. [Acts 2:1-4].

Jan 26 2014

The fifth north transept window

The main detail shows a stylised pelican in its nest with two young.

The pelican is vulning – pecking at its breast to draw blood with which to feed its young. The “Pelican in its Piety” is a symbol of Christ’s passion.

Jan 26 2014

The fourth north transept window

Here we see a flagellum and a pair of keys. The flagellum was a form of whip used for scourging. It was made of leather with leather thongs and had pieces of leather or metal knotted into the thongs so as to tear the flesh.
The Jewish practice was to deliver thirty-nine lashes but the Romans had no limit – the victim was scourged until almost dead –
“Five times I [St. Paul] received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one”. [2 Cor 11:24].

There is one silver key and one gold key for which there are two interpretations. One interpretation is that the silver key symbolises the power to bind and loose on Earth, and the gold key the power to bind and loose in Heaven. The other interpretation is that the silver key represents “binding” and the golden key represents “loosing”.

The crossed keys are the “keys to the Kingdom of Heaven” and are the quintessential symbol of the Papacy as an institution. Indeed, the crossed keys are part of the papal insignia shown above –
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” [Matthew 16:18,19].

Jan 26 2014

The third north transept window

The main detail in this window is the stylised dove viewed from below.

The dove is not the dove of peace which usually carries an olive branch in its beak but, because of its halo, is taken to symbolise the Holy Spirit –
“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.'” [Mark 1:9-11].

The third and fourth windows of the north transept are situated in the gable wall and are wider and of a different style to the others in the transept or to those in the nave. The same is true of the two gable windows in the south transept.

Jan 26 2014

The second north transept window

Here, the main detail shows a wooden cross, a hammer, a pair of pincers, and a crown of thorns.

These are all items associated with Jesus’ passion – the cross upon which Jesus was crucified, the hammer for hammering the nails into the cross through Jesus’ wrists and feet, and the pincers for pulling out the nails.

Jan 26 2014

The first north transept window

The main detail shows a lamb holding a staff surmounted by a banner. The banner itself bears a red cross on a white background like the St. George’s cross. In religious art such an image is known as an Agnus Dei (Lamb of God, in Latin).

In the Christian tradition, the ultimate mission of Jesus to die on the cross to atone for our sin is analogous to the sacrifice of a lamb. John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God –
“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”. [John, 1:29]

Jan 26 2014

The North Transept Windows

In the north transept there are seven windows one of which is the small window situated in the peak of the gable. Here, we show views from the inside and outside of the church.

This window cannot be photographed properly without the aid of a ladder or a giraffe as it is high up and partially hidden by its masonry surround. It has five outer circular panes, like the peak window in the south transept but unlike the peak windows in the east and west gables which have four and six outer panes, respectively.

We will discuss the other six windows in an east to west (right to left) direction, numbering them 1 to 6, respectively. They may be accessed using the menu at top left.

Jan 26 2014

Saint Anne’s window

According to tradition and some apocryphal literature, Saint Anne (or Ann or Anna, from the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning favour or grace) was the mother of Mary and the grandmother of Jesus. Legends and stories abound concerning Anne and she is sometimes confused with Anna the Prophetess who was present at Jesus’ presentation in the Temple.

In the window, Anne is holding a book bearing the inscription “ECCE VIRGO CONCIPIET” (“Behold! The virgin will conceive”, in Latin). This is a reference to two passages in the Bible, one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament –
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”. [Isaiah 7:14].
“But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him [Joseph] in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us)'”. [Matthew 1:20-23]

Matthew considers the Isaiah passage to be a prophesy of the virgin birth of Jesus, which is why the inscription in St. Anne’s book is so important.

Jan 26 2014

Saint Joachim’s window

Saint Joachim was the husband of St. Anne, according to tradition and apocryphal literature. He was quite wealthy and was a conscientious jew, making frequent offerings to the synagogue. In the window he is seen carrying a staff and a basket of doves which symbolise peace.

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Category Fenor Church Windows

The North Nave Windows