THRONE OF GOD

REVELATION 4-5

The 72-foot tall dome of gold and colored Italian smalti mosaic tile depicts the heavenly Kingdom of God. The Lamb of God, the seraphim and cherubim surrounded by a halo as brilliant as an emerald,  the four evangelists, and the four Eucharistic scenes,  give us a glimpse of the throne of God.

THE VICTORIOUS LAMB once slain, is standing on the scroll and the seven seals. He is surrounded by the seraphim and cherubim who, day and night, sing out in glory and praise to God.

THE FOUR EVANGELISTS emanate from the center to form a cross. These four seraphim resemble a face like that of a human being, a lion, a calf (ox),  and an eagle in flight. They represent the four gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – the Word of God – the light that penetrates the darkness and brings life to the world.

THE FOUR PREFIGURATIONS OF THE EUCHARIST 
portrayed in the middle ring, foreshadow the Mass, which is the unbloody sacrifice of the cross. The two Old Testament scenes are the offering of the bread and wine by Melchizedek and the sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham. The two New Testament scenes are the wedding at Cana and the multiplication of the loaves.

THE CITY OF GOD

REVELATION 21-22

The theology depicted in the lower ring of the dome represents the holy city, the new Jerusalem, (the bride of the Lamb)  coming down out of heaven from God. The city gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,  like jasper, clear as crystal. The city was decorated with pure gold,  every precious stone, and pearls.  The names of the twelve tribes of Israel were inscribed on the twelve pearl gates. The names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb were inscribed on the city’s jeweled foundation. The river of life-giving water, sparkling like crystal,  flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb. On either side of the river grew the tree of life that produces fruit twelve times a year,  once each month; the leaves of the trees serve as medicine for the nations.

From Christ’s teachings on the Sermon on the Mount, the LORD’S PRAYER encircles the ring below and continues at the Tabernacle and confessionals giving glory to God the Father throughout the Church.

In the PENDENTIVES four powerful angels support the dome each holding a scroll that names the four marks of the Church as  UNAM (ONE), SANCTUM (HOLY), CATHOLICAM (CATHOLIC) and  APOSTOLICAM (APOSTOLIC). We profess this belief in the Nicene Creed at Mass.