THE ALTAR

"Altar" is another term for "eucharistic table." It is a place of offering and blessing —bread and wine are offered to God and returned to us blessed with the Resurrection Life of Christ Himself.
The altar at Saint Nicholas' includes wood and stone just as it connects heaven and earth, God and history. The wood represents the humble table that was part of the Last Supper in the Upper Room—and it represents the table in the anonymous place in Emmaus where the Risen Jesus revealed himself in the "breaking of the bread." (St. Luke 24:28-35)

The stone top of the altar suggests the great stone that was rolled away from the tomb of Christ at the first Easter.
Click on each of the three panels for a closer look.
The altar stone reminds us that we are seeking the Living One and that His new Life is an Easter gift to all who come to Him in faith.

The "contemporary icons" applied to the altar panels are in a style best described as "Anglican Southwestern." They represent Mr. Campbell's creative appropriation of Byzantine tradition, the Italian Renaissance (Albertinelli's "The Visitation") and the work of Sir Ninian Comper in England.

The first symbolic picture shows Abraham and Melchizedek. That is, the altar presents "the father of faith" and the mystic priest-king of Jerusalem. In Genesis, Melchizedek brings forth bread and wine and offers them as a sacrifice to "God Most High." In the New Testament, Melchizedek is taken as a symbol of Christ "king of righteousness. . .king of peace" (Hebrews 7:2). The theme of this picture is preparation—seeking the Presence of God. Note that the "Tree of Life" is shown as leafing but not yet filled with its fruit.

The flanking symbolic picture shows Sts. Mary and Elizabeth—the Mother of Jesus and the mother of St. John the Baptist. The two women are shown encountering each other as in St. Luke's Gospel: " . . .when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed. . .'Blessed are you among women. . .'" (St. Luke 41-42) The theme of this picture is recognition—celebration—faith-filled vision of God at hand. Note that the "Tree of Life" is now shown as heavy with its fruit.

Finally, there is the central symbolic picture. It is a calm and gentle image of the Epiphany—the Star of Jacob as the Star of Bethlehem, the Star of divine guidance. The Wise Men from the East (magoi apo anatolon, St. Matthew 2:1) are shown in Persian dress. Here is humanity united in response to God and His only-begotten Son. The theme of this picture is devotion—reverence, self-offering that is deep and heart felt.