THE BANNERS OF CHRIST
In the year 1978 this project of eight banners for St. Paul’s Episcopal church came into existence in our minds and has lived with us ever since in our lives and travels. Providing warmth and color for the church’s nave, and inspiring worship, the banners’ designs began coming to fulfillment under the artistic direction of William R. Phinnie. His work was stimulated by ecclesiastical flags and knights’ banners as one witnesses in the great Anglican churches, such as Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. The designs have brought out an elaboration of many of the symbols used for Jesus’ redemption of the world through his sacrifices.
Our quest for expert needle workers led us to noted artists of that field, all of whom reside in Texas, while our search for materials of unique standards led us to England and Europe.
And lastly, our pleasure extended to the dedication of each banner to those members of our church who have made exceptional contributions to the well being of the parish.
Barbara and Paul M. Branch
Patrons of The Banners of Christ
The Lamb-of-God Banner
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” proclaimed St. John at the baptism of Jesus Christ. (John 1:28-36
Our quest for expert needle workers led us to noted artists of that field, all of whom reside in Texas, while our search for materials of unique standards led us to England and Europe.
And lastly, our pleasure extended to the dedication of each banner to those members of our church who have made exceptional contributions to the well being of the parish.
Barbara and Paul M. Branch
Patrons of The Banners of Christ
The Lamb-of-God Banner
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” proclaimed St. John at the baptism of Jesus Christ. (John 1:28-36
The Pelican-in-Her-Piety Banner
The legend survives of the pelican, who is aided to evince the most intense love for its young by plucking open its own breast and feeding her brood with her life blood.
The legend survives of the pelican, who is aided to evince the most intense love for its young by plucking open its own breast and feeding her brood with her life blood.
The Butterfly Banner
An enduring symbol for Christ’s Resurrection is the butterfly, since it emerges with a glorified body from a cocoon, able to soar into the sky
The Peacock Banner
In Christian art, the peacock, symbolizing Christ's Immortality and Ressurection, is of ancient origin.
The Cock- of -Vigilance Banner
Scripture tells us on the night before Christ's crucifixiion, he told Simon Peter he would deny him thrice before the cockcrow (daybreak): therefore, the watchful bird has become an emblem of vigilance and of St.Peter (John 13:36,38).
The Crown-of-Thorns Banner
One of the major symbols of the Passion of Christ (referring to the last hours of His life) is a circlet of thorny thistle placed by soldiers on the martyred head: a parody of the Roman emperor’s festal crown of roses.
The Phoenix Banner
As early as the first century, the mythical phoenix appeared on grave stones of Christians, symbolizing the triumph of eternal life over death by Christ and His followers.
The Pomegranate Tree Banner
Christ’s Resurrection and Immortality are symbolized by the bursting pomegranates appliquéd on violet silk Normandy damask, hanging from the green jeweled suede tree, tempting the diligent bees, suggesting Christian vigilance and zeal.
