| The Parish Church of St. John of Beverley,
St. John Lee |
| The Stained Glass Windows |
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To the North side of the
nave there is:
The Mewburn Window which depicts three kings
of Northumbria.
Edwin, the first Christian king of Northumbria, shown being Baptized
by Paulinus on Easter Day 627.
Oswin, King of Deira in Northumbria and was greatly loved because
of his benevolent nature. He was killed by Oswy, King Oswald's brother
and was seen as a martyr because he died "if not for the faith of
Christ, at least for the justice of Christ".
Oswald, who was brought up as a Christian and defeated King Cadwallon
at Heavenfield. It is said that the night before the battle Oswald erected
a small wooden cross on the battlefield, holding it in place whilst his
soldiers made it firm. He wanted to show that he fought as a Christian
and that he would reign as a Christian King - He won the battle and Cadwallon
was killed.
The Burgess Window. This shows symbols of
Christ
The Pelican pecking her breast to feed her chicks with her own blood,
reminding us that Christ gave his blood for us.
The Phoenix. A legendary bird, used in early time as a symbol of the Resurrection.
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On the South side of the
Nave are three windows depicting:
Saints of Northumbria
St. Aidan. A monk and a Bishop who founded Lindisfarne as the monastic
centre for Northumbria. It was Aidan who was credited in establishing
Christianity in Nothumbria after the pagan Penda of Mercia.
St. Cuthbert. An abbot of Lindisfarne and later Bishop of Lindisfarne
he was credited with healing abilities, not just of physical ailments
but also healing of relationships.
St. Wilfrid. Bishop of Hexham, an austere man he prayed, he fasted,
and he is even reputed to have taken a cold bath every night. But he was
hospitable and generous and was widely travelled, establishing many monasteries
throughout the region.
Three Apostles
This window shows St. Peter, St. James and St. John
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Three more Northumbrian
Saints
Benedict Biscop. Founder and first Abbot of Wearmouth, also the founder
of the monastery at Jarrow he travelled widely, particularly to Rome bringing
back countless books and artifacts, which made these places centres of education
and learning.
St. John of Beverley, our Patron Saint, Bishop of Hexham and later
Bishop of York. John is reputed to have shown special care for the poor and
handicapped, including one dumb boy whom he taught to speak which is depicted
in the window (shown right).
The Venerable Bede. A monk of Jarrow, a biblical scholar and the first
English historian, Bede devoted himself to study, he travelled very little
- probably never outside Northumbria but his writings and teachings reach
down to us today. Bede was made Deacon by John of Beverley at age 19. |
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