Selby Abbey, North Yorkshire

The Abbey community requested a design for a new stained glass window with an Easter theme, specifically The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The window depicts the olive groves of the Garden of Gethsemane, and the abundance of green foliage, flowers and fruit. At the focal point of the design an olive is opened to reveal its inner shape and the cross of sacrifice within.

The cross is a central Christian symbol and is the inevitable outcome of Christ’s agony at Gethsemane. The olive branch is also a universal symbol of peace (Gen. 8:11), and here the branches curve gently in response to the shape of the window-head.

The foliage, blossom and fruiting olive tell of the passing of the seasons. Beneath the olive trees winter jasmine is flowering (in Arabic Jasmine means gift from God) and beside it three flowering lilies signal the coming of spring at Easter-tide.

White lilies, which are also known as white-robed apostles, symbolize the three followers who waited with Christ, and are said to have sprung from the ground where the drops of His sweat fell as He hung on the Cross.

Within the arched head of the window, the trees burst into white flowers like a scattering of stars across the vault of Heaven. This celebration of blossoms comforts us with the knowledge that the days following Christ’s Agony in the Garden, will flower into the central, joyful Christian promise of salvation.

At the base of the window, several large stones allude to the maiden name of the donor (Staniland, or stony land) and are carved with the memorial inscription. The window was dedicated by Bishop Glyn Webster on Palm Sunday 2024.

Lettering by Tracey Sheppard FGE.