Theology

CREATION  AND  SALVATION

A work of art for the people of St Hilda’s

Thank you to the donor who has made a HUGE difference to the east wall of the church. My thanks also go to Jane Dobbie who has worked alongside the team who has been organising the donation. Robert Dobbie has also produced an article on the new decoration.

I was asked to reflect on the theological aspects of the decoration as a followup to Robert's article. Their are two major items - a Cross and an Ammonite.

One legend about St Hilda tells of a plague of snakes which Hilda turned to stone, supposedly explaining the presence of ammonite fossils on the Whitby seashore. In fact, the ammonite genus Hildoceras takes its scientific name from St. Hilda. It was not unknown for local “artisans” to carve snakes' heads onto ammonites, and sell these relics as proof of her miracle. The Coat of Arms of Whitby includes three such snakestones. Hence the Ammonite takes a central position in the decoration.

The Cross of Jesus is surrounded by symbolism. You can find nine nails to one side and five spots of blood below the cross. Only three nails were used on Our Lord but two criminals were also crucified with him. The extra nails remind us of that fact. The five spots of blood represent the falling onto the earth of Christ’s Blood, from both His hands and feet and also from the spear wound in his side. The spots of blood which fell onto the ground sanctified the very earth on which we live.

Robert’s article notes the part of the stars in Creation. The stars reflect that creative process but you will also notice that there is one very bright star, whilst the others are less so. The bright star reminds us of the rising of the eastern star at the birth of Christ. The new bright light shows that Jesus came as the “Light of the World”, not only for the Jews but the whole of Creation.

The outward spiral of flames from the centre shows that Christ’s love is for all Creation, and it reminds us of the Pentecostal tongues of fire which brought the Holy Spirit into our lives.

The blue of the water and its movement encourages us to think not only about the stories of the Sea of Galilee but also of the Baptism of Christ  and the sacrament of baptism:  water not only cleanses but sustains life itself.

Finally why three panels? Certainly, it follows the pattern of the windows above but it also shows the threefold nature of our Faith: the Trinity of  Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These panels are linked by the Cross of Jesus.

The more I gaze at this wonderful piece of art the more I am reminded of God’s gifts to us. Just try to spend a few quiet moments to gaze and explore the detail in the decoration.

 Fr. Chris