The top plaque tells us that the Chime in this tower was given in honour of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The brass plaque gives an interesting summary of the history of the Cathedral. The use of St John’s as a garrison church, and the damaging experiences of WWII, have had lasting effects on this old building. PLAN
22. MOSAIC
Just inside the West cathedral door is this amazing mosaic, added in 1968. The East Syrian Christian Cross at the centre is a 13th Century design discovered in China. The eagle, the symbol of St John, is a local white-bellied sea eagle.
23. FONT
This wooden font is used for baptism, and can be used in different parts of the Cathedral. In baptism, people join the Christian family.
24. MOSAIC II
Looking at the mosaic from the other side we see the hands of God creating, symbols of Jesus’ death at right, the dove and fire of the Holy Spirit at left, and other symbols of the Trinity. The blue background represents the waters of baptism.
26. NAVE ROOF
Above us the nave roof also is simple in its construction. The clear blue is a sky-colour not often seen in Hong Kong!
27. NORTH WEST NAVE
The nave has clear windows and uncluttered walls. Two plaques can be seen at left, and an icon in the corner.
28. BISHOPS AND DEANS
The wooden plaques list the Bishops and Deans of St John’s. I am interested to note the natural transition from Anglo-Saxon names to Chinese names with the passing of the years.
29. CHRIST ICON
This icon of Christ is called ‘Christ Pantocrator’ which means Almighty or Powerful. It is one of the earliest images developed in the Christian Church. Christ is holding the New Testament in his left hand and making the gesture of teaching or blessing with his right. The Latin text on the book is ‘I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, says the Lord’ (Rev 1:8).
30. STATIONS OF THE CROSS
The 14 Stations of the Cross are placed around the walls of the Cathedral. This is relatively uncommon for Anglican cathedrals, but not unknown. The Stations show steps in Christ’s Way to the Cross.
31. OLD FONT
This old stone font dates from 1890. Each of the eight faces features a quatrefoil bearing a botanical design.
33. WINDOW DETAILS
The outer transept windows have distinctly nationalistic characteristics with English at left and Chinese at right. This is exemplified in these bottom panels.
34. NORTH TRANSEPT
The East wall of the transept bears part of the Cathedral’s display of coats of arms. There is also a small altar with an icon.
35. ICON
I have been unable to obtain information about this particular icon.
36. COATS OF ARMS
A Cathedral pamphlet claims that the crests hanging around the chancel (and presumably, the North transept), are the coats of arms of British dioceses.
37. PULPIT
A very fine wooden pulpit stands at the North East corner of the crossing. It is used during services for preaching about the Christian faith.
38. PULPIT DETAIL
It is likely that this pulpit was given in 1898 by Sir William Robinson, the then Governor. The canopy above is part of the original Bishop’s Throne.
39. PEW DECORATIONS
The front pew on the South side bears the Royal Arms. Before the Handover in 1997, this pew was reserved for the Governor or any member of the Royal Family visiting Hong Kong. Both the front pews have a carved decoration.
40. LECTERN AND BANNER
The lectern is made of brass and is where the Bible is read to the congregation. The eagle is carrying on its back God’s Word to the world, symbolized by the sphere at its feet. The Cathedral banner hangs just in front of St Michael’s Chapel.