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

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Window

Building Name: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

City: Ypsilanti

Window Shape: 3 (arched)

Date of Window: 1933

Subject/Title of Window: IHC/Shield of the Trinity/Sign of the Fish

Brief Description of Subject: This clerestory window is located in the sanctuary and features 3 large roundels, with symbols, alternating with three smaller roundels.

The larger roundels from top to bottom:
IHC. The New Testament is written in Koine Greek, so that the earliest symbols have their basis in the Greek language. The Greek spelling of their word for "Jesus" is "iota eta sigma upsilon sigma." Transliterated into the Latin alphabet this becomes "IHCOYS." Thus the first three letters, "IHC," form a Christogram for "Jesus."
Shield of the Trinity. Also known as "Scutum Fidei" (Shield of Faith), it originated in the 13th Century as a visual aid in understanding the triune nature of God. Pater (Father), Filius (Son) and Spiritus Sanctus (Holy Spirit) are each separate but is one God (Deus). Note "EST" (is) and "NON EST" (is not).
Sign of the Fish. This roundel was installed backwards. Looking in a mirror the Greek letters spell out "IXOYC." Transliterated into the Latin alphabet, this becomes "ICHTHYS," the Greek word for "fish." These letters form an acronym for (I)esous (CH)ristos (TH)eou (Y)ios (S)oter --- "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior" --- the core belief of the Christian faith.

Condition of Window: Good

Height: ~5'

Width: ~20"

Type of Glass and Technique: Antique or Cathedral Glass, Lead Came, Vitreous Paint

IHC/Shield of the Trinity/Sign of the Fish
IHC/Shield of the Trinity/Sign of the Fish
IHS
IHS
Shield of the Trinity
Shield of the Trinity
Sign of the Fish
Sign of the Fish

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