Guide To Saints And Symbols In Stained Glass

Guide to Saints and Symbols inStained GlassIn churches and chapels, stained glasswindows help create the sense of asacred space. Stained glass windowsof the saints can provide worshiperswith inspirational illustrations of thevenerated. The various saints maybe depicted in stained glass eithersymbolically or in scenes from their lives.Saint MatthewPanel #1001Saint MarkPanel #1000One of the challenges facing churchdesigners, building committees andpastors doing church construction orremodeling is finding the right stainedglass images for your church or chapel.To help you, Stained Glass Inc. offersthe largest selection of stained glass inthe world. You will find Stained GlassInc. windows to be of the finest quality,affordable and custom made to the sizeand shape of your window.If your church or organization is lookingfor a stained glass window of a saint,we can help. Not all the saints are listedhere. If you are looking for a particularsaint and you don’t find him or her listedhere, just contact us, we can create astained glass artwork for you.Saint LukePanel #1005Saint JohnPanel #10064400 Oneal, Greenville, TX Phone: (903) 454-8376info@stainedglassinc.com www.StainedGlassInc.comTo see more Saints in stained glass, click here: gels/saints.html

The following is a list of the saints and their symbols in stained glass:SaintSymbol in Stained Glass and ArtSt. Acathius may be illustrated inchurch stained glass art with acrown of thorns.Bishop of Melitene in the third century.Died around 251 and was venerated bythe Eastern Orthodox Church. Feast is31 of March. Known for his doctrinalteachings and miracles. (Not to beconfused with another and later BishopAcacius of Melitene who opposedNestorius.)Agatha is shown in Church art andstained glass carrying loaves ofbread, but may also be representedby a veil, bells, shears, tongs orbreasts on a plate.Born in either Catania or Palermo in,Sicily (both claim the honor), sentenced tobe burned at the stake by the MagistrateQuinctianus, and was saved by anearthquake, but not before she facedtorture including the removal of herbreasts. Died in 251after a final prayerto God. Body found incorrupt in the 11thcentury. Saint Agatha is always part of theLitany of Saints.Shown as a young girl in stainedglass windows often holding alamb, but may also be representedby a dove with a ring, or with asword placed at her throat to showhow she died.Died a celibate martyr of the faith atage 15 or 16, during the persecution ofChristians by Emperor Diocletian. Saidto be so beautiful she was denounced asChristian by spurned suitor Procop, theRoman governor’s son. Was beheaded in305 or 304.Acathius of MeliteneAgatha of SicilyAgnesAgnesPanel #2299About the Saint

SaintAlbert the Great(Albertus Magnus)Ambrose (AureliusAmbrosius)Andrew, the ApostleAnne, Mary’s motherAnthony the GreatSymbol in Stained Glass and ArtAbout the SaintSt Albert the Great is depictedin church art as holding a globe,arguing with St. Thomas Aquinas, orlecturing.German priest made Bishop of Regensburgin 1260. Taught Theology at the Universityof Paris, where he formed a group thatincluded St. Thomas Aquinas. Known forhis erudition and study of natural sciences,and wrote books. Died November 15,1280, made saint in 1931. ProclaimedDoctor of the Church.Most often shown in stained glasswindows with Sts. Jerome, Gregoryor Augustine, or discussing with apagan. May also be symbolized bya pen, ox, bees, dove, or beehive.Roman bishop of Milan from 374-397,Doctor of the Church, said to haveconverted St. Augustine to the Churchview of religion. Died April 4, 397. Lovedand respected by the people and clergyalike.Almost always shown in stainedglass or other forms of Christianart with an X-shaped cross, eitherbehind or in front of him.Former follower of St. John the Baptistbefore following Jesus, he introducedSimon Peter to Him. Crucified on thedecussate cross by Governor Aegeas at thetime of Emperor Nero’s persecution of theChristians, on November 30, 60 AD.May be portrayed in Church art asmiddle-aged or elderly woman,teaching or holding Mary. Inpaintings and stained glass, St Anneis frequently depicted with a redrobe with green mantle. May bealso represented by a book or adoor.St. Anne (Hannah [grace] in Hebrew) wasmarried to St. Joachim, and became themother of Mary, mother of Jesus. Mary wasthought to be the only child.Usually symbolized by a pig, bell,or monk’s habit when depicted instained glass windows or doors.An ascetic, he lived a mostly secludedexistence, writing books on the Faith.He promoted asceticism and instructedmonks on the various aspects of it.

SaintSymbol in Stained Glass and ArtAbout the SaintAnthony of PaduaThe lily, Child Jesus, and bread areoften the symbols of St. Anthony instained glass windows or Churchart.Known miracle worker and lecturer/orator. He was canonized within a yearof his death by Pope Gregory IX, whocalled him ‘Ark of the Covenant’ for hisprodigious knowledge of the Scriptures.Portrayed in Church art as bishopdiscussing with a pagan or holdinga book, or standing over a heretic.Bishop of Alexandria and called ‘Fatherof Orthodoxy’, he was a Confessor andDoctor of the Church. Also, a staunchdefender of the Faith against heresy,notably Arianism.May be represented by cannonor ciborium, but more often by atower in stained glass pictures orChristian art.Martyred for her Christianity, condemnedto death by Martianus, provincial prefect,by beheading. Her pagan father, who wasassigned the deed, was hit by lightningafterwards as punishment. Pilgrims to hergrave receive consolation and the sick arehealed.Anthony of PaduaPanel #5140Athanasius of AlexandriaBarbara

SaintSymbol in Stained Glass and ArtBartholomew the Apostle Symbolized in Church art andchurch windows by a flaying knife,and painted by Michelangelo asflayed holding his own skin in hishand.About the SaintSaid to have been killed by flaying andupside-down crucifixion, as ordered byAstyages of Armenia. He is sometimesconfused with Nathaniel, due to thescarcity of information on his person andworks.BartholomewPanel #1461Painted with a broken cup whichwas his first miracle, but also acrosier or raven, in church stainedglass or church art.Called the ‘Father of WesternMonasticism’, born in 480 and died543. He established around 12 or13 monasteries, being abbot of all,plus children’s schools. Instituted theBenedictine Rules which outlined theway of life for laymen. Founded theBenedictine Order.Bernadette SoubirousDepictions of St. Bernadette instained glass show her with OurLady of Lourdes.The French girl who was present at theMarian apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes.Bernard of ClairvauxSt. Bernard is frequently symbolizedby instruments of the Passion, bees,or a pen in Church art or stainedglass windows.Doctor of the Church, Burgundian noble,writer, peacemaker and abbot. St. Bernardwas also a papal advisor and healer ofschisms that divided the Church for awhile. His most famous sermon, ‘Canticleof Canticles’ was not finished.Can be seen in church art as an oldfriar with three mitres, with the sunor tablet with IHS inscription inhand.Franciscan friar minor because he refusedany bishopric, St. Bernardine was apowerful and eloquent sermon-giver andpreacher who converted a lot of people.He was named ‘Apostle of Italy’ andinitiated the Second Crusade. He died in1444.St. Blaise is portrayed in stainedglass windows commonly with twocandles/tapers, wax, or iron comb,in reference to his healing a dyingboy with a fishbone in his throat.Martyr to the Faith and bishop of Sebaste,Armenia. Was beheaded during the timeof Emperor Licinius, by the provincialgovernor, Agricolaus. Known as patronsaint of wild animals.Benedict (of Nursia)Bernardino of SienaBlaise

SaintBonaventureBonifaceBridget of SwedenBrigid of KildareSymbol in Stained Glass and ArtAbout the SaintDepicted in bishop’s robes holdinga staff and paper. St. Bonaventuremay also be symbolized in stainedglass or church art by a ciborium,cardinal’s hat, or communion.Doctor of the Church, Franciscan bishop,friend of St. Thomas Aquinas. Twocenturies after his death in 1274 his headwas found intact and fresh.St. Boniface may be portrayed inchurch art holding a sword, book,axe, or fox, and wearing a bishop’smitre.Called ‘Apostle of Germany’ for hiseffective missionary work there. Wasnamed Archbishop by Pope Gregory III,was killed by heathens around 743 atDorkum by the River Borne. Born Winfridor Wynfryth.Illustrations of St. Bridget mayappear in stained glass windows asa woman with a book and pen, acrown or a pilgrim’s hat, staff andbag.Born Birgitta of wealthy parents, St.Bridget showed early piety, and afterbeing widowed led a pious and asceticlife, later creating the Order of St. Saviour,the Brigittines. She was also a recognizedmystic and was mother of St. Catherine ofSweden.Depicted in church art and stainedglass as a haloed nun with a crosieror Brigid’s Cross, and holding anopen scroll, staff or bowl of fire.Also known as St. Bridgit of Ireland and‘Mary of the Gael’ is a patron saint ofIreland, a nun, and founded the Conventof Cill-Dara (Kildare). She died in 525.May be seen with a spiked wheel,crown, or book in church art orstained glass.Was imprisoned for converting pagans toChristianity. Won converts in jail and wasbeheaded. Angels were said to have takenher to Mt. Sinai. Ranked among the 14most helpful saints in heaven.Bridget of IrelandPanel #3560Catherine of Alexandria

SaintSymbol in Stained Glass and ArtAbout the SaintSt. Catherine of Ricci may besymbolized by a ring, crown orcrucifix in church stained glass art.Named Alessandra Romola at birth,she was a nun known for her fervorand holiness, in her rapture or ecstasiesshowing the Virgin’s sufferings during theLord’s Passion via stigmata. She died in1590.Depicted with stigmata, cross, ring,crown of thorns or lily in church artor glass windows.Born Catherine Benincasa, a nun of theDominican order, St. Catherine bore thestigmata which, hidden in her life, showedclear on her death. She was an acclaimedvirgin, martyr, writer and counselor. Herfeast is celebrated every April 29.You will often see St. Ceceliaportrayed playing a musical organ,piano, mandolin, violin or harp instained glass church art.Martyr and church music patroness, shemarried and converted a pagan Valerianus,his brother, and their executioner, whichcaused the prefect Turcius Almachius toorder their death. She sang praises to Godas she was beheaded. She was a mostvenerated martyr in the ancient Church.Catherine of RicciCatherine of SienaCeciliaCeciliaPanel #3769CerboniusCharles BorromeoDepicted in church art or stainedNative to North Africa, St. Cerboniusglass almost always with geese, or a escaped to Italy during the Vandal’s Arianbear licking his feet.persecutions. Became Bishop of Populoniaand Massa Marittima, and sentencedto death by bear attack. But the animallicked his feet, so he was exiled instead toElba. Patron of the Early Morning Crew.In church art or windows St.Charles Borromeo may berepresented in his cardinal’s robes,carrying the cross but barefoot.Leader of the Counter-Reformation tonegate the influences of Protestantism.Archbishop of Milan, Pius IV’s secretary,cardinal-priest.