Professor Harris mentioned in class a New York City church that has a stained glass window inspired by sports. I decided to research into it and found an image of it with a description of all the sports that are included in the window:
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| *Click on the image so you can zoom in! |
1) St. Hubert (656-728). While hunting, Hubert encountered a white stag whose antlers formed a crucifix. He converted to Christianity and later became Bishop of Liege. He is the patron saint of hunters and animal protection.
2) St. Paul's injunction to run the good race (1 Corinthians 9:24)
3) Tennis.
4) Figure Skating.
5) Fencing.
6) David conquering Goliath (1 Sam. 17:49).
7) Baseball.
8) Swimming.
9) Basketball.
10) Jacob wrestling with the angel (Gen. 32:24).
11) Ice Hockey.
12) Auto Racing.
13) Football.
14) Esau the hunter (Gen. 25:27). Esau is the son of Isaac and the brother of Jacob. Esau was tricked out of Isaac's blessing by Jacob.
15) Boxing.
16) Bowling.
17) Boxing.
18) St. Paul's injunction to put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11)
19) Fishing.
20) Bicycling.
21) Golf.
22) St. Matthias chose by lot to take the place of Judas who had committed suicide (Acts 1:23-26).
23) Skiing.
24) Sailing.
25) Polo.
26) Samson Killing the Lion (Judges 14:5-6).
27) Hunting.
28) Tobogganing.
29) Soccer.
30) Elijah and the chariot (2 Kings 2:9-15).
31) Archery.
32) Sculling.
33) Archery.
Other minor or controversial sports are depicted in the outer margins of the window:
a) Billiards.
b) Fencing.
c) Pistol shooting.
d) Curling.
e) Lacrosse (?).
f) Cricket.
This window is in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and includes various Biblical characters in events of strength and courage. It is meant to represent the connection between the games of today and the old religious Olympic games. It is directly above a stone that has names of former famous athletes engraved in it, to call to prayer all those who have been successful in sport. However, what I want to question is why this stained glass window was incorporated in the church in the first place.
The activity of sport is a religious activity for some people because they devote time, hope and support to athletes and their teams. Sport is powerful because it has the ability to bring people together for passionate reasons. Even the old Olympics were so important that wars were stopped so that the games could on. During that time and today, focus is put on individual athletes as they are seen as Christ-like figures. Sports fan praise them like Gods like Christians praise God himself, and I argue that this was the reason why the window was built in the Cathedral. Sports, like Christianity, prove opportunity for one to be passionate about an inspiring figure. This is done in an expressive manner, either by: cheering or praising the Lord, buying an athletes jersey or wearing a cross necklace, watching the big game every Sunday or going to church every Sunday. It is evident that both of these two important aspects of society have parallels.
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