Eagle has landed

Adanor

Dedicated Member
In one of the early episodes, they drag Compo into the church and he spends a lot of time staring at a brass eagle on a stand. This seems to be a common feature in British churches unlike American churches.
 
That's the Lectern. Holds the large bible that the readers use during services. Usually found 'up front' so the reader can be seen though I don't know if it has a traditional position.
 
Eagle lectern
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Eagle lectern at St Nicholas Church, Blakeney, Norfolk, England


Eagle lectern at St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, England

An eagle lectern is a lectern in the shape of an eagle on whose outstretched wings the Bible rests.[1] They are most common in Anglican churches and cathedrals.

The symbolism of the eagle derived from the belief that the bird was capable of staring into the sun and that Christians similarly were able to gaze unflinchingly at the revelation of the divine word.[1] Alternatively, the eagle was believed to be the bird that flew highest in the sky and was therefore closest to heaven, and symbolised the carrying of the word of God to the four corners of the world.[2]

The eagle is the symbol used to depict John the Apostle, whose writing is said to most clearly witness the light and divinity of Christ. In art, John, as the presumed author of the Gospel, is often depicted with an eagle, which symbolizes the height to which he rose in the first chapter of his gospel. The eagle came to represent the inspiration of the gospels.[3]

The tradition of using eagle-shaped lecterns predates the Reformation. Medieval examples survive in a number of English churches, including the church of St Margaret in Kings Lynn and the parish church in Ottery St Mary. The Dunkeld Lectern is another notable Medieval eagle lectern.
 
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