- The Governor General of Canada
The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
St. Luke's Cathedral
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Supporter
September 15, 1995
Vol. III, p. 46
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Per chevron Azure and Vert in chief three bars wavy Argent surmounted by a pale counterchanged in base an ox passant regardant Argent winged unguled and haloed Or and over all a chevron rompu also Or in the fess point an open Bible Argent bound Or;
Supporters
A representation of a cathedra bearing on the tympanum between two trillium flowers all proper the arms of the Anglican Bishopric of Algoma as granted by the English Kings of Arms (Azure a Pastoral Staff and a Key wards upwards in saltire Or surmounted by an open book proper in chief a Celestial Crown of the second and in base a sprig of Maple of three leaves slipped also proper);
Motto
OUR SPIRITS REJOICE;
Symbolism
Arms
The wavy blue and white bars depict the series of waterfalls at Sault Ste. Marie, and the three-fold division symbolizes the Holy Trinity. The colour green refers to the ground upon which the cathedral stands. The “chevron rompu” is used here to represent a church-with-tower, thus a direct reference to St. Luke’s as a religious institution. The open Bible stands as the foundation for the congregational worship at St. Luke’s Cathedral. The winged bull is the symbol of the apostle Luke, the cathedral’s patron saint. This symbol appears in white and gold to represent purity.
Supporters
The arms are held by an artistic rendition of a bishop’s cathedra, used to show the cathedral status of St. Luke’s. The arms of the Diocese of Algoma and trillium flowers appear on the cathedra.
Motto
This phrase is taken from St. Luke’s gospel (Luke 1:46) and speaks to the communal spirit of worshippers.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on November 23, 1996, in Volume 130, page 3278 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Robert Black, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
Painter
Linda Nicholson
Calligrapher
Judith Bainbridge
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Local (church, synagogue)