Lion of Saint Mark

This winged lion is of part of the stained glass window in the entry foyer.

This traditional symbol for St Mark greets us as we gather for worship, reminding us of the opening words of the Gospel according to St Mark:

The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Just as it is said in the book of Isaiah the prophet,

Behold, I send my servant before your face, who will make ready your way; the voice of one crying in the waste land, "Make ready the way of the Lord!" Mark 1.1-3

The winged lion is one of the four winged creatures of Ezekiel 1:10. Very early on, these creatures came to be associated with the four archangels (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel) and to the four major prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel).

By the 2nd century after Christ, the four creatures became symbols for the four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) in written allusions. At least by the 5th century they became visual symbols. Traditionally, it is said that the winged lion is chosen for Mark because his gospel speaks of the royal dignity of Jesus Christ, and because he begins his account of St. John the Baptist with the voice of one crying in the wilderness (like a roaring lion).