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Window of the Month
Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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Window

Building Name: Christ Church Detroit

Studio Name: Payne Spiers Studio

City: Detroit

Window Shape: 3 (arched)

Date of Window: 1963

Subject/Title of Window: St. John, Christ, and St. Paul

Brief Description of Subject: This window depicts Christ surrounded by St. John and St. Paul.

Christ is in the center holding a book with an inscription on the open page from John 14. Jesus was telling his disciples that he was going to depart and would be coming back for them (second coming):

"Then Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whether, thou goest; And how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:3 - 7 (KJV)

St John the Evangelist is depicted in the left lancet at a writing desk taking down the words of Christ. Above his head is a winged eagle. Four winged creatures appear in the visions of both Ezekiel and John of Patmos --- a human, an ox, a lion, and an eagle. The early church identified these winged creatures as the four Evangelists. There was disagreement about which winged creature was which Evangelist, but after time, John became the "eagle," most likely because his Gospel begins with a statement of the Divinity of Jesus --- it soars heavenward like an eagle.

St. Paul is pictured writing a letter. He is credited with writing 13 of the 21 letters in the New Testament. Above his head is a sword over a book inscribed with the Latin words "SPIRITUS GLADIUS." These words are found in Paul's letter to the Ephesians urging them to put on the "Armor of God":

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the word of God." KJV

Inscriptions: St. John
St. Paul
I am the truth, the way, and the life
Spiritus Gladius


Condition of Window: fair

Height: 5.5'

Width: 5'

Type of Glass and Technique: Antique or Cathedral Glass, Lead Came, Vitreous Paint, Silver Stain, Etching or Sandblasting

St. John, Christ, and St. Paul
St. John, Christ, and St. Paul

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