Guide to Saints and Symbols in Stained Glass In churches and chapels, stained glass windows help create the sense of a sacred space. Stained glass windows of the saints can provide worshipers with inspirational illustrations of the venerated. The various saints may be depicted in stained glass either symbolically or in scenes from their lives. One of the challenges facing church designers, building committees and pastors doing church construction or remodeling is finding the right stained Saint Matthew Saint Mark glass images for your church or chapel. Panel #1001 Panel #1000 To help you, Stained Glass Inc. offers the largest selection of stained glass in the world. You will find Stained Glass Inc. windows to be of the finest quality, affordable and custom made to the size and shape of your window. If your church or organization is looking for a stained glass window of a saint, we can help. Not all the saints are listed here. If you are looking for a particular saint and you don’t find him or her listed here, just contact us, we can create a stained glass artwork for you. Saint Luke Saint John Panel #1005 Panel #1006 4400 Oneal, Greenville, TX • Phone: (903) 454-8376 [email protected] • www.StainedGlassInc.com To see more Saints in stained glass, click here: http://stainedglassinc.com/religious/saints-and-angels/saints.html The following is a list of the saints and their symbols in stained glass: Saint Symbol in Stained Glass and Art About the Saint St. Acathius may be illustrated in Bishop of Melitene in the third century. church stained glass art with a Died around 251 and was venerated by crown of thorns. the Eastern Orthodox Church. Feast is 31 of March. Known for his doctrinal Acathius of Melitene teachings and miracles. (Not to be confused with another and later Bishop Acacius of Melitene who opposed Nestorius.) Agatha is shown in Church art and Born in either Catania or Palermo in, stained glass carrying loaves of Sicily (both claim the honor), sentenced to bread, but may also be represented be burned at the stake by the Magistrate by a veil, bells, shears, tongs or Quinctianus, and was saved by an breasts on a plate. earthquake, but not before she faced Agatha of Sicily torture including the removal of her breasts. Died in 251after a final prayer to God. Body found incorrupt in the 11th century. Saint Agatha is always part of the Litany of Saints. Agnes Shown as a young girl in stained Died a celibate martyr of the faith at glass windows often holding a age 15 or 16, during the persecution of lamb, but may also be represented Christians by Emperor Diocletian. Said by a dove with a ring, or with a to be so beautiful she was denounced as sword placed at her throat to show Christian by spurned suitor Procop, the how she died. Roman governor’s son. Was beheaded in 305 or 304. Agnes Panel #2299 Saint Symbol in Stained Glass and Art About the Saint St Albert the Great is depicted German priest made Bishop of Regensburg in church art as holding a globe, in 1260. Taught Theology at the University arguing with St. Thomas Aquinas, or of Paris, where he formed a group that lecturing. included St. Thomas Aquinas. Known for Albert the Great his erudition and study of natural sciences, (Albertus Magnus) and wrote books. Died November 15, 1280, made saint in 1931. Proclaimed Doctor of the Church. Most often shown in stained glass Roman bishop of Milan from 374-397, windows with Sts. Jerome, Gregory Doctor of the Church, said to have or Augustine, or discussing with a converted St. Augustine to the Church Ambrose (Aurelius pagan. May also be symbolized by view of religion. Died April 4, 397. Loved Ambrosius) a pen, ox, bees, dove, or beehive. and respected by the people and clergy alike. Almost always shown in stained Former follower of St. John the Baptist glass or other forms of Christian before following Jesus, he introduced art with an X-shaped cross, either Simon Peter to Him. Crucified on the Andrew, the Apostle behind or in front of him. decussate cross by Governor Aegeas at the time of Emperor Nero’s persecution of the Christians, on November 30, 60 AD. May be portrayed in Church art as St. Anne (Hannah [grace] in Hebrew) was middle-aged or elderly woman, married to St. Joachim, and became the teaching or holding Mary. In mother of Mary, mother of Jesus. Mary was paintings and stained glass, St Anne thought to be the only child. Anne, Mary’s mother is frequently depicted with a red robe with green mantle. May be also represented by a book or a door. Usually symbolized by a pig, bell, An ascetic, he lived a mostly secluded or monk’s habit when depicted in existence, writing books on the Faith. Anthony the Great stained glass windows or doors. He promoted asceticism and instructed monks on the various aspects of it. Saint Symbol in Stained Glass and Art About the Saint Anthony of Padua The lily, Child Jesus, and bread are Known miracle worker and lecturer/ often the symbols of St. Anthony in orator. He was canonized within a year stained glass windows or Church of his death by Pope Gregory IX, who art. called him ‘Ark of the Covenant’ for his prodigious knowledge of the Scriptures. Anthony of Padua Panel #5140 Portrayed in Church art as bishop Bishop of Alexandria and called ‘Father discussing with a pagan or holding of Orthodoxy’, he was a Confessor and Athanasius of Alexandria a book, or standing over a heretic. Doctor of the Church. Also, a staunch defender of the Faith against heresy, notably Arianism. May be represented by cannon Martyred for her Christianity, condemned or ciborium, but more often by a to death by Martianus, provincial prefect, tower in stained glass pictures or by beheading. Her pagan father, who was Barbara Christian art. assigned the deed, was hit by lightning afterwards as punishment. Pilgrims to her grave receive consolation and the sick are healed. Saint Symbol in Stained Glass and Art About the Saint Bartholomew the Apostle Symbolized in Church art and Said to have been killed by flaying and church windows by a flaying knife, upside-down crucifixion, as ordered by and painted by Michelangelo as Astyages of Armenia. He is sometimes flayed holding his own skin in his confused with Nathaniel, due to the hand. scarcity of information on his person and works. Bartholomew Panel #1461 Painted with a broken cup which Called the ‘Father of Western was his first miracle, but also a Monasticism’, born in 480 and died crosier or raven, in church stained 543. He established around 12 or glass or church art. 13 monasteries, being abbot of all, Benedict (of Nursia) plus children’s schools. Instituted the Benedictine Rules which outlined the way of life for laymen. Founded the Benedictine Order. Depictions of St. Bernadette in The French girl who was present at the stained glass show her with Our Marian apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes Bernadette Soubirous Lady of Lourdes. St. Bernard is frequently symbolized Doctor of the Church, Burgundian noble, by instruments of the Passion, bees, writer, peacemaker and abbot. St. Bernard or a pen in Church art or stained was also a papal advisor and healer of Bernard of Clairvaux glass windows. schisms that divided the Church for a while. His most famous sermon, ‘Canticle of Canticles’ was not finished. Can be seen in church art as an old Franciscan friar minor because he refused friar with three mitres, with the sun any bishopric, St. Bernardine was a or tablet with IHS inscription in powerful and eloquent sermon-giver and hand. preacher who converted a lot of people. Bernardino of Siena He was named ‘Apostle of Italy’ and initiated the Second Crusade. He died in 1444. St. Blaise is portrayed in stained Martyr to the Faith and bishop of Sebaste, glass windows commonly with two Armenia. Was beheaded during the time candles/tapers, wax, or iron comb, of Emperor Licinius, by the provincial Blaise in reference to his healing a dying governor, Agricolaus. Known as patron boy with a fishbone in his throat. saint of wild animals. Saint Symbol in Stained Glass and Art About the Saint Depicted in bishop’s robes holding Doctor of the Church, Franciscan bishop, a staff and paper. St. Bonaventure friend of St. Thomas Aquinas. Two may also be symbolized in stained centuries after his death in 1274 his head Bonaventure glass or church art by a ciborium, was found intact and fresh. cardinal’s hat, or communion. St. Boniface may be portrayed in Called ‘Apostle of Germany’ for his church art holding a sword, book, effective missionary work there. Was axe, or fox, and wearing a bishop’s named Archbishop by Pope Gregory III, Boniface mitre. was killed by heathens around 743 at Dorkum by the River Borne. Born Winfrid or Wynfryth. Illustrations of St. Bridget may Born Birgitta of wealthy parents, St. appear in stained glass windows as Bridget showed early piety, and after a woman with a book and pen, a being widowed led a pious and ascetic Bridget of Sweden crown or a pilgrim’s hat, staff and life, later creating the Order of St. Saviour, bag. the Brigittines. She was also a recognized mystic and was mother of St. Catherine of Sweden. Brigid of Kildare Depicted in church art and stained Also known as St. Bridgit of Ireland and glass as a haloed nun with a crosier ‘Mary of the Gael’ is a patron saint of or Brigid’s Cross, and holding an Ireland, a nun, and founded the Convent open scroll, staff or bowl of fire.