Reredos

reredos | rîr'dŏs', reer-dos |
noun ( pl. same) Christian Church
an ornamental screen covering the wall at the back of an altar

Upon entering Ginter Park Presbyterian Church's Sanctuary, one is struck by the beautiful wall behind the altar. The eye is caught and held by the beauty of the large gold cross, with its sunburst, directly behind the communion table, and by the eight symbols that flank it. The eight symbols were chosen to hold up before us basic features of our faith.

The wall, or screen is called the reredos. But what do the symbols mean? Hover over each symbol below to get an explanation. The symbols are arranged in pairs. Start at the upper left and move left to right, top to bottom.


The last symbol is one of the oldest known in Christian history. One first sees a fish and then five Greek characters, I CH TH U S. This word, Ichthus, means fish but to the early Christians it meant much more. It is a rebus, or acrostic, made from the initials of five Greek words which translated mean Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, the heart of the Christian affirmation.

The ship is the church wherein the faithful move safely across troubled waters.

The head of wheat and bunch of grapes, portrays bread and wine, the elements in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

The lamp beneath the dove recalls the psalmist’s affirmation, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.” The Reformed faith is built on Word and Sacrament.

The triquetra, formed by three equal arcs interwoven symmetrically, constitutes one of the best known symbols for the one Triune God.

The figure of the dove, represents God, the Holy Spirit.

The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet recall our Lord’s statement, “I am Alpha and Omega,” and represent God, the Son.

Surrounded by a circular nimbus with three rays, appears the hand of God, the Father.