St Mary's & St Peter's Church, Montrose

The Lady Chapel and Triptych


The Lady Chapel      The Triptych


The Lady Chapel, situated to the right of the Chancel, was added to the church in 1927.   It was the gift of the then Rector, Canon Hubert Rankin, and his wife, Ethel (née Dixon), in thanksgiving for the lives of their parents.    A beautiful, tranquil space, it is ideal for private prayer and contemplation.    It is also used for smaller services, including the regular Wednesday Communion service.

The Triptych was constructed in 1927 by John Sime, of Thomas Good of Edinburgh, and it consists of a centre frame and folding wings.   The word Triptych is derived from the Greek tris - thrice, and ptyche - a fold.

The centre frame is subdivided into three panels.   A figure in relief of Our Lord on the Cross is placed in the middle one, with hands slightly bent outwards as if in an attitude of benediction, and figures representing St. John and St. Mary fill the panels on either side.

The base of the centre frame consists of a panel extending its whole width, on which is carved in deep relief a briar rose, with the pattern of the stalk so arranged that it has no beginning and no end.   This endless stalk symbolises Immortality.   The idea of the briar is taken from the tree at Glastonbury Abbey, which is believed to be a descendant of the thorn wood staff planted by St. Joseph of Arimathaea, who introduced Christianity into England in the year 63A.D.   The Glastonbury Thorn has the remarkable habit of blooming about Christmas Day each year, and because of this fact, the blossoms are symbols of Our Lord's Nativity.

The Triptych stands on a retable, in the front of which is a tabernacle.   A chalice is carved on the door, with rays extending from it, and beneath the chalice there are the words "Adoremus in Aeternum."   On either side of the Tabernacle there are shields bearing the Emblems of the Passion.   The retable and altar are built of golden coloured Sienna Marble, with a Mensa of black marble.   The Footpace is of marble inlaid with Fish swimming towards the East.

The folding wings of the Triptych are subdivided into panels, with representations in colour of the following Saints:

   1 - 4 Left Wing                                      5 - 8 Right Wing

1. St. Salome                                         5. St. Mary the Wife of Cleopas
   (The Mother of St. John)
2. St. Longinus                                      6. Simonof Cyrene
   (The Centurion)
3. St. Francis of Assisi                          7. St. Joseph of Arimathaea

4. St. Mary Magdalene                        8. St. Catherine of Siena

 The carved surrounds of both the centre frame and wings are richly traceried and decorated with various symbolic devices bearing on the subject of the design.       Symbolism has been introduced for its educational value, and the meaning of the various devices is in every case traditional.

The following is an index to the symbols used, with their meanings:

Fish:
This is an ancient symbol of "Our Saviour" and came from the five-lettered Greek word meaning "fish."   In early Christian symbolism, the five letters were used as a rebus, each letter being used as the initial in Greek of a sentence meaning "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour."

Fleur de Lys>:
This is considered to be a conventional form of the Annunciation Lily, and is always used as a symbol of the Blessed virgin Mary.

The Pierced Heart:
In early christian times this was associated with the Blesed Virgin Mary and is a symbol of the prophecy uttered by the aged Simeon: "Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also" (St. Luke, 2. 35).

Anchor:
The Anchor is one of the oldest symbols of Our Lord.   It is usually shown in the form of a Cross and implies our hope in Jesus Christ.   It is found on the earliest Christian burial monuments.

Chalice with Serpent:
This is a symbol of St. John, when depicted as an Apostle.   Early writers state that an attempt was made to kill him by means of a poisoned chalice, from which he was saved.

Sacred Monogram:
The Sacred Monogram is at the head of each wing.

The Outstretched Hands:
The Outstretched Hands, in a nimbus of glory, suggest acceptance by the Almighty.

The Peacock:
The Peacock, which sheds its feathers annually, is a symbol of the Resurrection and also of Immortality.   It is a common symbol in the Catacombs, and legend says that its flesh is incorruptible, and in like manner Our Lord's body did not see corruption, but was raised and glorified on the third day.

The various devices on the carved bosses of the main frame are to a certain extent placed there for decorative purposes, but as ornaments they all have some religious meaning.

Reading round the frame, starting at the left bottem corner, they are as follows:

* Wheat *
* Bird with Berries *
* Angel bearing Shield with St. Andrew's Cross *
* Lily *
* The Monogram of Our Lady, with Crown over *
* Crow with Nail in Beak *
* Flower *
* Dragon *
* Hawthorn *
* Dove *
* Flower *
* Conventional Animal *
* Laurel *
* Robin *
* The sacred Monogram *
* Fleur-de-Lys *
* Angel with Shield and Keys *
* Conventional Bird *
* Vine *

On the back of each wing are carved the Alpha and Omega Emblems.   These will be seen only when the wings are closed.

Alpha and Omega emblems   Alpha and Omega emblems

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