East Window

The East Window

Double Click on an image to enlarge it.

	This window was made in 1935 by Clayton and Bell, a famous London stained glass firm.It is a picture of Jesus Christ in Heaven. It draws upon the experience and beliefs of the first generation of Christians as recorded in the New Testament. This experience and these beliefs about Jesus Christ were expressed through the art of the early church in an art form called "Majestas Domini", meaning "the Majesty of the Lord". It is this early Christian art form which is expressed in this east window. It celebrates and represents Christ the King. It expresses the authority that Jesus Christ, crucified, risen and ascended carries now in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28.18). As King he is seated on God's throne (Revelation 3.21), he wears a crown (Hebrews 2.9) and he carries an orb in his hand.Behind the throne in heaven there is a Rainbow (Revelation 4.3) a symbol of God's covenant with the whole of his creation (Genesis 9.8-17). The orb is a small globe with a cross above it. As King of Kings (Revelation 19.16) in Christian art Christ is sometimes portrayed holding an orb. Above him is the dove, a symbol of God the Holy Spirit, who filled and guided Jesus in his earthly life and who fills and guides the disciples of Jesus in every age. It is by the Spirit of God that we are able to see the true authority, majesty and glory of the heavenly Christ (Revelation 1.10). It is by the Spirit that we can hear what Christ the King says to us. "Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool" (Isaiah 66.1) was taken by the early church as a promise fulfilled by Jesus Christ. So in the art form "Majestas Domini" Jesus was portrayed as seated on a throne in Heaven with his feet resting on the earth. This is exactly represented here! The face of the heavenly Christ is portrayed like the sun shining at full strength (Revelation 1.16). The right hand of the heavenly Christ is raised in blessing, as in the sixth century church of St. Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy. The King and priest Melchizedek blessed Abraham (Genesis 14.18-20) and early Christians saw his ministry as fulfilled by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4.14 - 5.10 and 8.1). Christ the king is worshipped on heaven by angels, five of them are portrayed here, and one of the angels swings incense in a thurible or censer! So in Revelation 5.11 we read 'I heard around the throne...... the voice of many angels...... saying "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing."' Two of the most famous saints represent the heavenly host, the Virgin Mary..... .....and St. John the Baptist. They are both turned towards the heavenly Christ and worship him as their King. The Christian Church is represented by the arms of the Dioceses of London, Chelmsford, and St. Albans and they express the worship of Christians on earth and heaven of Christ the King. This Church was in the Diocese of London from 1833 - 1867, ..... .....the Diocese of St. Albans from 1867 - 1914, ..... .....and has been a part of the Diocese of Chelmsford since 1914. Notice at least two other crowns! One is on the Arms of the Diocese of St. Albans and represents the crown of the early Christian martyr, St. Alban. The other is on the arms of King Edward the Confessor. He once owned the land on which this church stands and he built Westminster Abbey. He was famous for his piety and was venerated as a saint. "Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2.10) The Arms of the Borough of Leyton (partly obscured by the reredos) express the Christian belief that all human rulers are accountable to God, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven". These beautiful windows were given in loving memory of Ada, wife of E. J. Tooley, Churchwarden from 1912 - 1919.