Scenes from the Passion of Christ

Photo © Ann Jones larger image

1863 Five-light window with eighteen panels, including the Crucifixion in the upper central light. Reading, unusually, from left to right, bottom to top, the story of the Passion is depicted from Christ's anointing at Bethany to the Resurrection. technique: stained glass firm/studio: William Wailes Church of St John the Baptist, Troedyrhiw, Rhondda Cynon Taff east wall of the chancel The window is a memorial paid for by the employees of the church's benefactor Mr Anthony Hill when he died in 1862. He had decreed that his workers were to be given a day off with pay to attend his funeral. So they, in turn, as a mark of the respect they had for him, commissioned this window in his memory. There is a similar, later, window by the firm in Chester Cathedral. With so many scenes, the window gives a particularly comprehensive depiction of the events leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection. For example, the kiss of Judas and arrest of Christ are shown as two scenes, as are the deposition and mourning over the dead Christ. The scene in the lower right-hand light is particularly unusual. Following the washing of the disciples feet after the Last Supper, it perhaps portrays Christ teaching his disciples as described in the account given in John's gospel, chapters 13-17.  (ObjectID=4381 ImageID=8217) Original File Name=Church 007.jpg

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• 'Salvator Mundi', making a blessing gesture; an orb in his hand or at his feet 
• carrying of the cross: Christ bearing the cross, alone or with the help of others  [Matthew 27:31-33; Mark 15:20-22; Luke 23:26-33; John 19:17]
• Christ before the Sanhedrin with Caiaphas as high priest, and possibly Annas - trial of Christ  [Matthew 26:57-66; Mark 14:53-64; Luke 22:54; Luke 22:66-71]
• Christ washes the feet of the apostles  [John 13:1-20]
• Christ's entombment  [Matthew 27:59-61; Mark 15:46-47; Luke 23:53-56; John 19:39-42]
• Christ's feet are anointed by Mary Magdalene - meal at Bethany  [John 12:3-8]
• Crucified Christ with Mary and John on either side of the cross; Holy Rood  [John 19:25-27]
• descent from the cross: Christ is taken down from the cross  [Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53; John 19:38]
• entry into Jerusalem: people spreading their clothes before Christ on the ass, and waving palm branches  [Matthew 21:1-11; Matthew 21:14-16; Mark 11:12-14; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19]
• Gethsemane, Mount of Olives, 'Oelberg': the kiss of Judas: accompanied by soldiers with torches and lanterns, he kisses Christ  [Matthew 26:48-49; Mark 14:44-45; Luke 22:47-48]
• Gethsemane, Mount of Olives, 'Oelberg': Christ's prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane during the night  [Matthew 26:37-45; Mark 14:33-41; Luke 22:40-46]
• Pilate washing his hands (in innocence) - trial of Christ  [Matthew 27:24]
• the arrest of Christ - Garden of Gethsemane  [Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-50; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:3-12]
• the Last Supper  [Matthew 26:21-35; Mark 14:18-31; Luke 22:15-23; John 13:21-38]
• the mourning over the dead Christ 
• the risen Christ (with wounds, but without crown of thorns), sometimes holding the cross or a banner 

John Newman, The Buildings of Wales: Glamorgan (London/Cardiff: 1995), p. 640.

Photo © Ann Jones