You see it every week when you gather for worship at Our Savior. It’s the chancel altarpiece, the relief work of art that decorates the space above and behind the altar. You see it from a distance and even if you sat in the front pew you may not be able to distinguish the detailed symbols that make up the relief artwork. The following is a list of those symbols and their meaning, which as we journey through Lent can become a focal point when preparing for worship or redirecting our attention from the random thoughts that invade our concentration when focusing on our relationship with God in Christ. During Lent, I invite you to come up onto the chancel to get a closer look at the symbols.
SYMBOLS IN THE FOUR CORNERS
These are the symbols of the four gospel evangelists from left to right, top to bottom.
- Matthew is the Man
- Mark is the Lion
- Luke is the Ox or Calf
- John is the Eagle
SYMBOLS ON THE CROSS
- Chi Rho: The English pronunciation is kai row (as in “row your boat”) and is also known as Chrismon. It is one of the earliest forms of Christogram, formed by superimposing the first two (capital) letters chi and rho (XP) of the Greek word for Christ (Christos) in such a way that the vertical of the rho intersects the center of the chi. By placing it at the center of the cross it represents Christ on the cross instead of a crucifix that would have the body of Christ on it.
- Dove: The dove at the top of the cross represents the pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Jesus’ baptism that alighted on him “as a dove.” It also reminds us of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on us at our Baptism.
- Cinched Bag: Located on the right side of the cross it represents the bag of 30 silver coins Judas accepted in betraying Jesus to the authorities because Jesus wasn’t the Messiah Judas believed he should be. Do we “sell Jesus out” as well?
- Rooster: Located on the left side of the cross the rooster represents the cock that crowed twice after Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus that was foretold to him. Are there times we deny our relationship with Jesus in our lives when others challenge our relationship with our Lord?
- Pillar & Whips: Located just below the Chi-Rho this symbol reminds us of the suffering Jesus endured prior to his crucifixion. How does reflecting on his torture for your sake impact your relationship with Jesus?
- Crown of Thorns & Sign: The crown of thorns reminds us Jesus was mockingly “crowned” king by Pilate at his crucifixion. The sign with the letters INRI remind us of the sign Pilate had nailed to Jesus’ cross proclaiming him as Jesus of Nazareth – King of the Jews, which in Latin would have been Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum. How is Christ the king of your life?
- Robe & Dice: Below the crown of thorn is a robe and three dice. They remind us how the soldiers “cast lots for his tunic” thereby fulfilling Scripture. The dice show the numbers 1, 2, and 3, which could represent the three hours Jesus hung on the cross.
- Cross with Empty Death Shroud: The empty shroud that hangs over the cross reminds us that Jesus did not remain dead. God raised Him as promised on the third day by his resurrection. Death was conquered and no longer had the last word. The God of new life in Christ does. How does this give us hope and courage when we are facing death and death-like situations?
- Alpha & Omega: The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet are the last two symbols on the altarpiece above the arms of the cross. The look like and “A” and a horseshoe and remind us that Jesus is the “beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega” as we read in the book of Revelation. In other words, Jesus is with us always, in good times and bad, amidst suffering and joy. How does this comfort, console, and encourage you in your journey of faith?
I hope when you look again at the chancel altarpiece you not only have a deeper appreciation for the symbols that make it up but also how it can guide you in reflecting on your own relationship of faith in our Savior who came, loved, died, and rose again so that we might have new life in Him. May your Lenten journey be a blessed one.
