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![[Anglican Catholic Church]](../images/r/rel-angc.gif)
by Eugene Ipavec, 23 October 2007
At
anglicancatholic.org.uk [retrieved] is an image of a variant form of the flag at
(identification from the church, St Alban the Martyr, Northolt, England,
given on this
page [retrieved]). This variant has the church's arms [St. George's cross with crossed
key and crozier argent in canton azure] in a shield placed in the white canton
of a St. George's flag rather than the white crossed crozier and key in a blue
canton of a St. George's flag. Perhaps the two variants reflect UK vs. US usage?
Ned Smith, 7 November 2004
![[Anglican Catholic Church]](../images/r/rel-acc2.gif)
image located by Bob Hunt, 21 October 2007
This photo is of a flag currently used by a parish of the
Anglican Catholic Church in the US. This flag resembles that depicted at the top of the page, but
there are some differences. It more closely resembles that of the
Episcopal Church, probably because the early
churches of the ACC/US comprised predominantly members who came from the
Episcopal Church, in the late 1970s.
Measurements of this flag are close approximates, without the fringe:
length/width = 58 in. x 36 in. (5x3 ft.), canton = 22 in. x 15½ in., width of
the arms of the cross = 6 in. The George cross here is not just off-center
horizontally; it's off-center vertically as well – the measure from the top of
the horizontal arm to the top edge of the flag is 15½ in. (width of the canton),
while the measure from the bottom of the horizontal arm to the bottom edge of
the flag is 14 in. (Some differences in measurements are due to overlapping at
seams and interfaces). I cannot explain the overall centering. The crossed
crosier and key are appliqued by stitching on to the canton.
I believe this may be a specially-constructed flag, because it was made by a
company in Ohio, after a phone call to ascertain the gross measurements of the
corresponding US flag (which would be displayed with this church flag). At this
time, I have not personally examined any other flags of ACC parishes, to
determine uniformity or conformity; and I do not know of any commercial
providers as yet.
In comparing this flag to the one at the top of this page, we see that the
referenced flag has a centered George cross, with narrower arms. The canton of
the referenced flag has a longer (proportionate) length than does this flag. We
might assume that similar flags of churches in the UK will reflect the centered
George cross; those of the US, the off-centered George cross. The main
similarity, of course, will be the presence of the crosier-and-key arms
somewhere in or near the canton (see
http://www.anglicancatholic.org.uk/gallery/st_alban_mission.html [retrieved]).
Incidently, the Anglican Catholic Church is represented in other countries,
including the UK.
Bob Hunt, 21 October 2007
![[Flag of the Anglican Church of Virginia]](../images/r/rel-acva.jpg)
The Anglican Church of Virginia is a small denomination following Anglican
traditions but not part of the Anglican Communion. It was founded in 2001 and
has parishes in the US states of Virginia and Kentucky. It has been in communion
with the Anglican Church of India since 2005. The church's homepage is at
http://www.theanglicanchurch.net/index.html. At one of their news pages
(http://www.theanglicanchurch.net/News.html – photo can't be located)
is a photo of the heads of the two churches with a flag of the ACOV (shown
above). A news item further down on the page says "The Archbishop of the
Anglican Church of India and Prelate of the Virginia Communion, Larry Johnson,
agreed to join their respective jurisdictions in "communion ... Bishops are
pictured above at Evensong, with the Virginia Anglican flag which now hangs in
India as symbol of union."
The flag is a vertical banner of the church's arms. On
http://www.theanglicanchurch.net/sealandcrest.html [retrieved]
is a description of the church's "crest" [sic]:
"The shape of the shield is the warrior's shield of
ancient time carried into battle for defense. We in
the ACOVA are the 'defenders of the Faith'.
The golden cross reminds us of the cross upon which
Christ died because of His love for us.
The stripes on the golden cross remind us that by His
stripes (those imprinted upon His beaten and scourged
body) we are healed.
The empty cross reminds us that He is no longer there
but has ascended into Heaven and sits on the right
hand of God serving as our intercessor.
The white cross on the blue field has several
meanings: It is the cross of St. Andrew who died on
such a cross, but more importantly reminds us to be
missioners as he was. St Andrew, brought his brother,
Simon Peter, to Christ. It is the symbol of Scotland,
from which the orders of the United States came, the
white representing the purity and peace that Christ
gives; the blue representing the unity of God's
people.
The chalice and bread are to remind us that the Holy
Communion is the focus of our worship; that we take
each week His blood and body in order that we may take
on His Nature and be strengthen to fight the devil and
his works. Finally, all these components rest on a red shield
to remind us of His shed blood."
Ned Smith, 30 March 2006
At the homepage of the
Anglican Fathers of the Corpus Christi (no longer available) was an image of an Anglican/Episcopal
style flag. It is a long white swallowtail with an offset red cross and blue
canton. In the canton is a disk with some style of cross.
This religious order is affiliated with the Christian Episcopal Church, a small
separatist traditionalist denomination of North America adhering to the Anglican
tradition but not in union with Canterbury or the Anglican Communion. The device
in the canton of that flag image is not identical to the arms used by either the
Christian
Episcopal Church in the US [retrieved] or in Canada [retrieved],
although all three are
obviously similar, being based on St. George's Cross. I do not know if this flag
exists solely as a computer graphic, or if the Fathers actually fly such a flag.
Neither do I know if the US or Canadian churches fly any flags based on their
respective arms.
Ned Smith, 5 September 2004
![[Flag of the Anglican Orthodox Church]](../images/r/rel-aoc.gif)
image by Eugene Ipavec, 16 December 2009At the website of St. Joseph of Aramathea Parish of the Anglican Orthodox Church of Chesterfield, Virginia, US there are a few, maddeningly obscured, photos of what is possibly a church flag – white with gold fringe and a central device of blue, gold, white & red. See http://www.anglicanorthodoxofvirginia.com/Pictures_SJ.htm [retrieved] – second, third, and fifth photos. It's possible, but far from certain, the device may be the AOC's arms shown at the top of the page.
The AOC's denominational homepage is at https://aocinternational.org/. It was founded in 1963 and has churches in North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. It is not part of the Anglican Communion.
Ned Smith, 30 March 2006
The Anglican Orthodox Church is one of several churches around the world and especially in the United States which have separated themselves (or been separated from) the established Anglican Communion and/or the Episcopal Church in the United States for theological, doctrinal, or other reasons. The Anglican Orthodox Church was established in 1963, and not only does the link below provide additional information about the church, but also presents a colored photograph of the church flag: http://www.stpetersaoc.org/About.html and http://www.stpetersaoc.org/Info/Flag.html
The website reports:
"Our
Church is blessed with a flag. You will be interested in knowing something
about it.
– The four crosses on the corners represent the Gospel, which
we are committed to proclaim to the 'four corners' of the earth.
– The gold triangle in the center is the symbol for The Holy Trinity, and
representative of the letter 'A' in 'Anglican'. The 'A' also stands for
Alpha (Rev. 1:8) – Christ is the first to be resurrected and was with God
in the Beginning (John 1:1).
– The blue and gold circles are symbolical of
the Eternity of God and representative of the letter 'C' in Church.
– The 'C' in the Center of the Circle also stands for Christ who is central
in the Trinity. The circle stands, also, for Omega – the End and summary of
all things which Christ was and is (Rev. 1:8).
The colors:
White for
Purity: Blue for Faithfulness; Gold for Divinity; and Red for Sacrifice,
the blood of our Saviour on the Cross."
![[CoA Anglican Orthodox Church]](../images/r/rel)aoc.gif)
image located by Martin KarnerDescription of the Coat of Arms (taken from the image source page http://www.stpetersaoc.org/Info/Coat.html):
1. THE CROWN. The crown is symbolical of the crown with which our ascended Lord is
crowned. "We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of
death, crowned with glory and honour." (Hebrews 2:9). The crown is symbolic of glory
that is reserved for those who are victorious in Christ. "And when the chief Shepherd
shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (I Peter 5:4).
2. THE LAMB. The lamb is symbolical of the triumhant Lamb of God "that taketh away the
sins of the world." "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and
wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is
in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are
in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that
sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." (Revelation 5:12–13).
3. THE GRAPE VINE. Symbolical of our Lord and of our relationship with Him. "I am the
vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth
much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (St. John 15:5).
4. THE DOVE. The Holy Spirit. "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out
of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:" (St. Matthew 3:16).
5. THE STAR. The Star of Epiphany, symbolical of the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles.
"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold,
there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of
the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him ... When they
saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." (St. Matthew 2:1–2, 10).
6. THE CROWN OF THORNS. Our Lord's crown on the cross. "And they stripped him, and
put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put [it]
upon his head ..." (St. Matthew 27:28–29).
7. THE NAILS. The nails with which our Lord was nailed to the cross, one for each hand and
one for both feet. "... he (Thomas) said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print
of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I
will not believe." (St. John 20:25).
8. THE SYMBOL OF THE ANGLICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH.
The Triangle: The symbol of the Holy Trinity is representative of the Letter "A" in
"Anglicanism". It has a double relevance to the Alpha in the Greek alphabet. Christ is Both
the beginning letter, the last, and all between. He is complete Word incarnate.
The Circle: Symbolical of the Eternity of God, and representative of the Letter "O" in
"Orthodox"". Also, refers to Omega of the Greek alphabet. Christ said, "I am Alpha and
Omega, the beginning and the ending ..." (Revelation 1:8).
The Letter "C": Stands for Christ and is representative of the Letter "C" in "Church"".
Christ is the center Person of the Trinity. Here He is represented too, as the central figure.
The letter "C" is colored red indicating the blood of our Lord shed for the sins of the
world: "... without shedding of blood is no remission." (Hebrews 9:22). "But Christ being
come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not
made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and
calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal
redemption for us." (Hebrews 9:11–12).
The symbol of the blood of Christ is at the center of our Coat of Arms, as it is at the
center of the Christian Faith. The atoning sacrifice of the Cross effects the reconciliation
between our righteous God and sinful man, and makes available Divine Grace, which
effects the regeneration of man: "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for
the unjust, that he might bring us to God ..." (I Peter 3:18).
Significantly, the atoning sacrifice of our Lord, which is at the center of the Christian
Faith, is represented by the letter "C" at the center of our Coat of Arms; and is identified
with the name of our Church.
In the symbols of the Christian Faith, we find the letters A O C, representing the Anglican
Orthodox Church.
The colors in the symbol represent:
Blue: for fidelity
White: for purity
Gold: for divinity
Red: for sacrifice
9. THE PHOENIX. One of the most widely used of all symbols of our Lord's Resurrection is
the phoenix. The legends concerning this fabled bird vary slightly. According to one
version of the phoenix legend, this bird, which resembles an eagle somewhat, lives to an
age of four of five hundred years, and then it gathers a nest of sweet smelling twigs and
spices. These are set on fire by the heat of the sun (a variation of the legend says by the
fanning of the bird's wings), and the phoenix is consumed in the fire. Out of the ashes the
bird rises again, recreated and young, destined to live another five hundred years. A
different legend states that the phoenix, having attained the age of five hundred years, flies
to Heliopolis, Egypt, and burns itself upon the high altar in the temple. When the priest
comes he finds, among the ashes, on the altar a small worm of very sweet savor. This
worm turns into a bird, which attains full growth on the fourth day, and the phoenix flies
away with its youth renewed.
10. THE LION OF JUDAH. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah is among the well-known symbols
of our Lord. There are several variations of the old-ti,e lion legend. The lion was thought
by the ancients to be able to obliterate his tracks with his tail in order to escape the hunter.
So, too, did our Lord conceal His glory from His enemies and accomplish the will of His
Father despite their evil plotting. The ancients believed that the lion sleeps with one eye
open. So, also, is it said that, "Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor
sleep." (Psalms 121:4). Because of their closed eyes, the people of olden times thought
that the cubs of the lioness were born dead, and were brought to life on the third day by
the breath of the lioness, or the voice of the lion. In like manner, was our Lord brought to
life on the third day by the voice of the Father.
The Lion likewise opens the seals of the Book of Life (Revelation 5:5), and is thus pictured
in many an old church. "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion
of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the
seven seals thereof."
11. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. Symbolical of the righteousness of God which is
witnessed by His Holy Spirit; the proclamation of God's law. "Wherefore the law [is]
holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." (Romans 7:12). "Blessed are the
undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his
testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart." (Psalm 119:1–2).
12. THE CUP OF BLESSING. The symbol of God's Grace and the new life in Christ available
through His blood shed on the Cross and received through the Sacrament of Holy
Communion. "Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament
in my blood, which is shed for you." (St. Luke 22:20). And, "... which is shed for many
for the remission of sins." (St. Matthew 26:28). (See also Prayer Book, Page 80, St.
Mark 14:22–25, and I Corinthians 11:23–25).
13. THE BIBLE AND LAMP. The Bible at the base of the shield reminds us that our Church
and out lives in the Church are based on the Word of God. The Lamp reminds us that the
Word of God as found in the Bible is a, "For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD
will lighten my darkness." (II Samuel 22:29)
14. THE CROSS. The Cross in white covers the face of the shield, reminding us of the
salvation wrought for us on the Cross by God our Saviour.
15. THE MOTTO. "FIDE ET FORTITUDINE IN DEO" (Faith and Courage in God)
Martin Karner, 30 December 2024
