Jerusalem Cross
History
Many parishioners have wondered and asked about the symbolic meaning of the two East-West windows of our sanctuary. These windows represent what is called the Jerusalem Cross or the Crusaders Cross. It appeared on the coat-of-arms of the Duke of Lower Lorraine, Sir Godfrey of Bouillion. Sir Godfrey was elected king of Jerusalem in 1098 after the first crusaders capture the city from the Muslims. The Muslims retook the city in 1291.
The cross has several meanings depending upon which text is being read.
- The large cross represents Jesus and the four smaller crosses represent the four Gospels writers. The four smaller crosses can represent the four corners of the earth to which the gospel has been spread.
- The five crosses represent the five nations of the crusaders; Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
- The five crosses represent the five wounds Jesus received on the cross the small crosses for the hands and feet, and the large central cross for the spear wound in His side.
There is an interesting story about how the windows came to be. The contractor asked Father Brad Hall what design the windows should take and he responded that they should form a cross. The design of the windows did not seem to fit the traditional cross (crux ordinaria). Father Brad reached into his pocket and pulled out the Jerusalem cross and told the contractor to make it look like this cross.
§ george reeves
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