- 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.
The Cathedral Church of St. James
Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Supporter
July 25, 1996
Vol. III, p. 176
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Per fess wavy Azure and Vert over all a sword in bend surmounted by a pilgrim's staff in bend reversed between in chief a three-masted sailing vessel of the eighteenth century and in fess and base three scallop shells all Or;
Supporters
A cathedra proper displaying on its tympanum the arms of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto proper between two roses Argent;
Motto
IN FINES ORBIS TERRÆ;
Symbolism
Arms
The scallop is associated with St. James the Great. These shells were originally identifying marks for pilgrims to the tomb of St. James at Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain. The pilgrim staff with a purse is another such indicator. The sword, instrument of his martyrdom by Herod Agrippa in 42 A.D., is modelled on that depicted on the Great Seal Deputed of Upper Canada, marking the fact that several parishioners were prominent officials in the colony. The ship depicted resembles an 18th century three-masted vessel, the type that would have sailed into the harbour of York. The ship also refers to the one in which the Apostles followers brought St. James’ body to Spain. The wavy division line and the colours are taken from the old emblem of the Cathedral.
Supporters
The cathedra is based on the coronation chair in Westminster Abbey and marks the significant connections the Cathedral has with the Crown. The chair displays the arms of the Diocese of Toronto, granted in 1839. The two white roses, taken from the arms of the City of Toronto, indicate the historical role St. James’ has played in York, Upper Canada and in modern-day Toronto.
Motto
This Latin motto which means “To the end of the world”, comes from the offertory chant in the Sarum rite for the feast of St. James, taken from Psalm 18:5 in the Vulgate (Ps. 19:4 in the Coverdale Psalter). It alludes both to evangelism and to the choral tradition of the Cathedral.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on November 22, 1997, in Volume 131, page 3589 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
Suzzann Wright
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Local (church, synagogue)