- The Governor General of Canada
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Alexander Bruce Stavert
Québec, Quebec
Grant of Arms
May 15, 2009
Vol. V, p. 445
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Blazon
Arms
Per fess Vert and Azure a pallet Or charged with three fleurs-de-lis Azure between two pallets Or each charged with two crosses patté fitché Vert;
Motto
SECUNDUM VERBUM TUUM;
Symbolism
Arms
The stripes indicate staves and therefore allude to the first part of the surname, while the green (Vert in blazonry) colour makes a pun on the second syllable. Green and yellow are the colours of the arms of the Anglican diocese of Saskatchewan, and thus mark Archbishop Stavert’s ministry there. Blue and yellow are the colours of the arms of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada of which Archbishop Stavert is Metropolitan; they are also the academic colours of Trinity College, Toronto, where he was chaplain and held academic appointments. The green over blue arrangement indicates land meeting water and thus alludes to his ministry on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River in the Diocese of Quebec. The three stripes also appear on the coat of arms of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Quebec, the location of Archbishop Stavert’s cathedra. Their number is a reference to the doctrine of the Trinity and also alludes to the Archbishop’s three children. Fleurs-de-lis appear in the arms of the cathedral, the province of Quebec and the city of Montreal, Archbishop Stavert’s birthplace. The small crosses are from the arms of the diocese of Quebec and refer to the pallium worn by an archbishop.
Motto
This Latin phrase, meaning “According to your word”, is taken from Luke 1:38 (ecce ancilla Domini fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word”) and is Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel at the Annunciation. As such, it is an affirmation of Christian service. Archbishop Stavert was ordained a priest on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation.