The South Transept.

The Bewley Window.

Here we have a very important window in our “Journey of Faith”, for this window depicts the entire ministry of Saint Paul the Apostle. When we began our tour in the west end of the cathedral, we were reminded of Saint Paul’s conversion to Christianity. We reflected upon the fact that prior to his conversion, Paul, who was at that time named Saul, persecuted the church and watched as Stephen was stoned to death, and yet Jesus forgave him. This window tells the remaining story of Paul’s life. The top section of the window reminds us of Paul’s ministry to the Episcopal churches. Paul wrote letters to seven churches, encouraging them in their walk of faith. He wrote letters to the church in Rome, the church in Corinth, the church in Galatia, the church in Phillipi, the church in Ephesus, the church in Thessalonica, and the church in Colossi. These letters, which can be found within the New Testament section of the Bible, have continued to be used by many Christians in their own walk of faith.

The main picture of Paul in the centre of the window depicts Paul in Athens at the moment when he notices the altar with the inscription “AGNWSTOS QEOS” (agnostos theos), or “unknown god”. This moment can be found in the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 16. Paul speaks to the Athenians about their unknown god. He tells them, “as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you”. Paul spoke openly to the Council of the Areopagus, the body of philosophers who considered themselves custodians of new religious teaching. He revealed to them the one true God, who “gives all men life and breath and everything else”. He turned their unknown god into the God who longs for a personal relationship with humankind. The bottom section of the window depicts Paul preaching to the people. It is possible it’s meant to represent Paul speaking to the Council of Areopagus. Paul’s faith was strong; he believed it was his responsibility to speak to Jew and Gentile alike. He had been sent by God to tell the world about Jesus, and nothing was going to stop him, not even the Council of Areopagus.

Are you still worshipping an unknown god like the Athenians, or would you like to know God personally?

Perhaps it’s time for Paul to reveal to you the one true God.

Take a look at the Book of Acts.Read Paul’s letters to the churches.

Feel his passion for Jesus.

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