St Silas
detail from New Testament Saints

Photo © Martin Crampin larger image

about 1916 Three-light window with standing figures of the saints Peter, Paul, John over Barnabas, Lydia and Silas. Three scenes from the Acts of the Apostles depicting Paul below: on the road to Damascus, healing the sick, and at work making tents. The archangel Michael fights the dragon at the apex of the window. technique: stained glass designer: John Winbolt Church of St Mary, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire nave This is presently the only window known by the artist in Wales. The artist's debt to his former employer Charles Eamer Kempe is clear in the style of the poses, the character of the faces and the positioning of the inscriptions. The window was given in memory of Edward Baker, died 14 January 1914. Both Lydia and Silas (Silvanus) appear in the Acts of the Apostles. Lydia was a devout woman, and a seller of purple, of Thyatira, converted by St Paul (16:14) whose home became a meeting place for Christians (16:40). Silas was Paul's companion through Asia Minor and Greece, and imprisoned with him at Philippi (Acts 15-18). He appears in 1 & 2 Thessalonians & 1 Peter 5:12 as Silvanus.  (ObjectID=477 ImageID=9898) Original File Name=Abergavenny_DSC2968-71A.jpg

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• Lydia, seller of purple 
• on the way to Damascus Christ appears to Saul, who falls from his horse and is blinded by the light - the conversion of Paul  [Acts 9:3-7]
• Paul healing other sick people on Malta  [Acts 28:9]
• Paul in the workshop of Aquila and Priscilla, who may be shown weaving and spinning  [Acts 18:3]
• Paul of Tarsus, apostle 
• St Barnabas of Cyprus, first bishop of Milan 
• St John the Evangelist, apostle 
• St Peter, apostle and first bishop of Rome 
• St Silas 

John Newman, The Buildings of Wales: Gwent/Monmouthshire (London/Cardiff: 2000), p. 94.

Photo © Martin Crampin