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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: St. Josaphat Church

Studio Name: Kozak (G.) Studio

City: Warren

Window Shape: 6 (gothic arched, more than 2 vertical sections)

Date of Window: 1998

Subject/Title of Window: Great East Window: History of the Ukranian Church

Brief Description of Subject: The great East Window is filled with images that represent the history of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. In the center are the hands of God bestowing favor upon the Ukraine. To the left of the hands of God, St. Andrew the apostle is shown blessing the hills upon which the city of Kiev was founded. Further left is St. Michael, patron saint of the Ukraine. Also in the center is an image of the Virgin Mary, venerated for centuries by the Ukrainian people as their "Pokrova" or protectress. To the left of Mary is the Basilica of St. Sofia, as it once looked. To the right of the Virgin Mary are great scholars and doctors of the Eastern Church: Saints Basil the Great, John Chrysostom, Nicholas, Ignatius, Athanasius, Cyril and Methodius. Below these saints is Nestor the historian, who recorded the early history of Ukraine and its church. Other images at the left represent many early Ukrainian church fathers, including St. Josaphat, whose martyrdom for the Union of the Ukrainian Church is symbolized by the ax and palm leaves. Fiery flames depict Soviet persecution of the Ukrainian people and the destruction of their churches during the 20th century. The Phoenix, a mythological bird symbolizing rebirth, represents the new independence of Ukraine and its church. Migrating birds symbolize the spread of Ukrainians throughout the world. Also pictured are several contemporary Ukrainian spiritual leaders and cathedrals in Rome and the United States, as well as the parish of St. Josaphat in Warren. The red poppies are a tribute to those who gave their lives in the wars to gain freedom for the Ukraine. The windows was created by church member and artist, George Kozak of Clarkston, Michigan, with the help of his daughter, Maria Truckey.

Inscriptions: In memory of Sofia Haliw nee Kndrat
Rev. Canon Bohdan and Myroslava Skaskiw
In memory of Edward and Maria Kozak
In memory of Rev. Hryhorij Gawdunyk & Wasyl Lysyj, victims of communsit Concentration Camps & Lt. Roman Luckyj oerished in battle of Brody
In memory of Roman Worobkevich
Tomyn Family
Stefan & Anna Fendenko
In memory of Bohdan Nestorowich


Condition of Window: Good

Height: 17'

Width: 21'

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

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All images in the Index are either born-digital photographs of windows or buildings or are scans of slides, prints, or other published sources. These images have been provided by volunteers and the quality of the material varies widely.

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