The Four Evangelists

Holy Cross recently purchased a new crucifix, which was hung in the Sanctuary of the main body of the church on February 8, 2002. The new crucifix is twelve feet high. On the four points of the crucifix are icons. These icons represent "The Four Evangelists."  Below is an explanation.

Their traditional symbols, the “four living creatures”, are taken from (anticipated in?) the prophecy of Ezekiel (1:5-21; 10:20). Of these same living creatures, borrowed by the Book of Revelation (4:6-8), St. Irenaeus says, “The lion signifies the royalty of Christ, the ox His priestly office, the man His incarnation and the eagle the grace of the Holy Spirit.”

ST. MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND MARTYR: Matthew is called the “divine man,” since he teaches about the human nature of Christ and his version of the gospel begins with Jesus’ paternal genealogy.

ST. MARK, MARTYR: Mark is called the winged lion, since he informs us of the royal dignity of Christ and his version of the gospel begins: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness,” suggesting the roar of the lion.

ST. LUKE, MARTYR: Luke is called the winged ox, since he deals with he sacrificial aspects of Christ’s life and his version of the gospel begins with a scene in the temple.

ST. JOHN, APOSTLE: John is called the rising eagle, since his gaze pierces so far into the mysteries of Heaven and his version of the gospel begins with a lofty prologue that is a poem of the Word become flesh.

Taken from the Catholic Source Book, edited by Rev. Peter Klein,
Copyright 1990 by Brown-Roa a division of Harcourt Brace & Company.