Remembering Canon Edward N. West (Nov. 5, 1909-Jan. 3, 1990)

For reasons beyond my control, this remembrance from January 3rd, is being posted today.

Canon West was mentor to many of us in the Religious Life. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. May his memory always be a blessing.

from Episcopal News Service. January 25, 1990

One of the premier liturgical scholars in the Episcopal Church, the Rev. Canon Edward Nason West, retired canon sacrist of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, died on Wednesday, January 3, from pulmonary failure.

"Edward West was to the American Church what Thomas Crammer was to the Church of England," said the Rt. Rev. Walter Dennis, suffragan bishop of New York, at a requiem for West. Describing West as "a legend in his own time," Dennis pointed to his reputation as a liturgical expert as an example that he "could see in a moment exactly what could be done to reveal hidden beauty." . . .

As a scholar of icons and religious art, West was an important adviser in the design of churches and their furnishings, from stained-glass windows to patens and pectoral crosses, . . . . West was also the designer of the Compass Rose, the official seal of the Anglican Communion.

"There was something of the extra-large about him; in that loving soul of his, in theological reach, in ecumenical charity, in imagination, in artistic accomplishment, and in pushing his intellectual luck," said the Rev. John G. B. Andrew, rector of St. Thomas Church in New York.

West was involved in the ecumenical movement and was a key figure in the rapprochement between Anglicanism and the Armenian, Serbian, Russian, and Greek Orthodox churches. He was instrumental in the founding of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary in New York.

He served with many religious organizations and was named an officer of the Order of the British Empire, an officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau by the Netherlands, a chevalier of the Legion of Honor by France, and a knight commander of the Royal Order of St. Sava by Yugoslavia.

And of course, he loved his dogs! We at Sanctuary House count on meeting them all again one day at the Rainbow Bridge!

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February 2

Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple in the Episcopal Church or Meeting of the Lord in the Orthodox Church. Read the whole story in the Gospel according to Luke (Luke 2: 21-38). A poem for the day: Nunc dimittis Now old Simeon can sing his song! This is the baby, this is the Lord! This is the King we have been waiting for, Now old Simeon can sing his song! Now old Simeon can sing his song: A baby - every mother's ordinary light of the world, But, my Lord, this is the Lord! Now old Smeon can sing his song! Now old Simeon can sing his song, Light and glory, salvation and heart-sword: This baby here - this is the Lord! Now old Simeon can sing his song! (from Handful of Stars , © 2018) And a very Happy Birthday to St. Hilda's and St. Hugh's School, NYC And it's Ground Hog Day! Punxsutatawney Phil predicts an early Spring . . . hope you're right, Phil!

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Letters from Ascension Hermitage and Sanctuary

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