The oldest of the stained-glass windows at Trinity are these brilliant twin windows showing mirror images of Easter lilies. The windows were produced in 1898 as a memorial to Martha Paull Fobes and made by Donald MacDonald. The inscription reads, “Faithful Unto Death”.
Easter lilies are referred to as “white-robed apostles of hope” that symbolize Christ. The trumpet-shaped blossoms recall the horns that heralded the resurrection. The lifecycle of the Easter lilies, which grow from bulbs under the ground before blossoming into magnificent white flowers, recalls Jesus’ death and resurrection.
There are two legends associated with the Easter lily: one is they are believed to have sprouted from the ground where Jesus’ blood and tears fell during the crucifixion. The other is that lilies were found in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus is said to have prayed before his crucifixion. Legend has it that these lilies sprung from drops of His sweat when His head was bowed in prayer.
Along with being associated with the resurrection, Easter lilies symbolize rebirth, purity, virtue, hope, renewal and peace.
Blessings at Eastertide!
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