The
Rose Window at
Unity Church
by Charles Connick 1925
The central theme of this window is the protecting and sustaining power of divine love. Hence how fitting that it is dedicated to Motherhood, that over and over again, in its details it depicts all those graces and alluring charms that we associate with this state. Let me point out the different details in the window.
In the central medallion of the “Rose Window,” is the prince of guardian spirits, the arch -angel, Raphael, leading the young Tobias, who has a fish in his hand. This has reference to the apocryphal book in the Old Testament called Tobit. The story tells how Tobit, a pious Jew of the tribe of Napthali while a captive in Nineveh, fell into disfavor through some of his customs. He was unfortunate enough to lose his eyesight in an accident. So he sent his son, the little Tobias to Media to recover a loan which he had made to a compatriot there. While his son was on the journey, he was accompanied by Arazias, really the Archangel, Raphael. During the course of this journey, he killed a monster fish in the Tigris, preserving his heart, liver, and gall. While in Media, he married his cousin. During the attendant festival, he secured the loan, and the three returned to Nineveh, where Tobit’s sight was restored by means of the fish gall. This subject has been used in art throughout the ages to represent the Christian, the true believer, guided and guarded through his life-pilgrimage by the angelic monitor and minister of divine mercy and protection.
On either side of this group are the angels of spiritual sustenance, carrying the symbols, bread and wine.
As elements of the border immediately around this central medallion, are six seraphim, red, and as many cherubim, blue symbolizing Divine Love and Wisdom, and twelve stars for the twelve expressions of Divine Love and the human heart. Two other groups of twelve stars in the triangular openings of the tracery, and in the four bottom lancets echo the same thought. An additional seraph was placed at the very top of the window in order that there might be seven in all. This very conscious attempt to have seven is doubtless for two reasons: first, in the attempt to bring in the sacred number seven, which played such an important part in pre- Christian history, and second, to to symbolize the seven gifts of the spirit, mentioned by Isaiah.
In the cusps of the “Rose Window,” are angels of praise and prayer, the former with a lute and trumpets, and the latter carrying censers. As I mention these instruments, I would recall to you that the third angel on the west in the screen holds a trumpet and the fourth from the center on the east is holding a lute.
Occupying the lower circular openings of the tracery are kneeling angels of devotion holding candles. In the lancets at the base of the window are the four most important and best known archangels. From left to right facing the window they are: St. Michael, the guardian Prince of Israel, the militant angel symbolizing the invincible power and strength of love. He is represented here-in with a coat of mail, with his all powerful sword and shield of justice. In the Talmud, the traditional law of Moses, he is the bearer of the tables of the laws to Moses.
Next to him is St. Gabriel, the divine messenger of grace and inspiration. His right hand is raised in blessing, his left holds a lily, symbolic of purity and hope. Next to him is St. Raphael, the chief of the guardian angels. He carries a purse which is referred to in the account above. He symbolizes the protecting and healing power of love.
In the lower right hand corner is St. Uriel, bearing the seal of light and wisdom.”