Church Tour

Saint Cyril of Alexandria Church Tour
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75^th Anniversary Church Tour Committee
Colin Crawford, Chairman

Eileen Emmerling, Robb Flick, Bob Kleinberg, Joan Miller

Special thanks to Deacon James Dalton for Latin translation, and the many others who contributed to this project.

Prof. Robb Flick became an expert on our Church while researching this project.

History of new complex (Church Rectory, Convent, and renovation of School) from our website:

JUNE 7, 1954 CLEVELAND WRECKING COMPANY RAZE THE HOUSES.

SEPTEMBER 12, 1954 OFFICIAL GROUNDBREAKING AT THE SITE OF THE NEW CHURCH ON PENN BLVD.

SEPTEMBER 16, 1954 THE BUILDING PROJECT WAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN UNDER THE DIRECTION OF FOLEY & McMANUS, INC., BUILDERS AND ARCHITECTS.

JUNE 27, 1955 THE PASTOR ANNOUNCED A GRAND TOTAL OF $330,000 HAD BEEN PLEDGED FOR THE BUILDING CAMPAIGN.

AUGUST 15, 1955 GROUND BROKEN FOR THE NEW RECTORY

SEPTEMBER 7, 1955 NEWLY RENOVATED SCHOOL OPENED WITH AN ENLARGED STUDENT ENROLLMENT.

SEPTEMBER 17, 1955 THE CONVENT WAS COMPLETED AND OPENED TEN DAYS LATER.

CHRISTMAS, 1955 FATHER FALLON CELEBRATED THE MIDNIGHT MASS IN THE NEW CHURCH.

MAY, 1956 THE ENTIRE PARISH COMPLEX WAS COMPLETED WITH THE "MOVING IN" OF THE PRIESTS INTO THE RECTORY. DURING THE WEEK FOLLOWING THIS MOVE, ON MAY 6, 1956, FATHER FALLON WAS STRICKEN WITH A HEART ATTACK. HE DIED FIVE DAYS LATER, MAY 11, 1956

Built in 1955 by Paul McManus, William H. Stickles, architect. Rev. Fallon, Pastor.

Entering front doors of church - Improvements in front handicap ramp, garden in front and memory walk.

Tile of St. Cyril in the front center outside of the Church is the logo for our 75^th Anniversary.

Entering the vestibule, known in the early church as the Narthex, it was designed to feel the separation of heaven and earth – leaving all earthly worries and concerns behind to prepare to enter into a piece of heaven. In some churches this area was large enough to host a banquet dinner coming into the body of the church. Some of the new churches being built today have gone back to that idea and have enormous vestibules used for community gathering after Mass, and have the baptismal pool in these vestibules to encourage congregation participation.

Choir loft – stained glass windows giving a magnificent pictorial of our patron St. Cyril Archbishop of Alexandria, Doctor of the Church, Doctor of Incarnation. These windows highlight four major events in the life of St Cyril. (1) Triumph of St Cyril: In 428 A.D.

(1) Triumph of St Cyril: In 428 A.D. Nestorius described Christ as having two

persons in one body, Nestorius also took serious issue with the use of the title

“Mother of God” for Mary. Cyril & Nestorius appealed to Pope St Celestine and

Cyril was victorious.

(2) Council of Ephesus: In 431 A.D. this conflict resulted in the Third Ecumenical Council, ordered by Emperor Theodosius. Nestorius refused to appear because his supporter – John, Bishop of Antioch and 40 other bishops were delayed. His doctrines were condemned and he was sentenced to excommunication.

(3) Accusation of St Cyril: When Bishop John and his forty-some followers arrived, they claimed to be the legitimate council and deposed Cyril, accusing him of heresy.

(4) Persecution of St Cyril: When both sides appealed to the emperor, the emperor

upheld the excommunication of St Cyril and he was imprisoned.

Other Doctors of the Church – all devoted to the Doctrine of Mary as Mother Of God:

St. Athanasius: Archbishop of Alexandria, condemned of heresy.

St. John Chrysostom: Archbishop of Constantinople, law student, became a priest

In 386 A.D.

St. Jerome: Father of the Church. Most learned in Sacred Scriptures. Noted for

Writings on the Virginity of Mary.

St. Ambrose: Bishop of Hippo, spoke of praise & virtue of virginity.

St. Augustine: Bishop of Hippo. Preached virtues of virginity.

St. Gregory the Great: First monk to become Pope.

Relic of St. Gregory is entombed in our Altar along with St. Cyril and St. Titus

Top window in center is Mary with Child.

Also by the choir loft is a room built for small children attending Mass. Glass separates the pews here from the main Church. Parents don’t need to worry about children carrying on in church and the painting and drawings are designed for young children. The stained glass window depicts Jesus with the little children.

On the opposite side of the Choir loft there is a beautiful but seldom seen window depicting St. Cecilia, patron saint of music, appropriate window for our Church Choir loft.

Most of the windows in the Church have a theme related to Mary probably due to the devotion of St. Cyril.

Behind the small pews in the front handicapped section on both sides, are stained glass windows. One is Our Lady of Lourdes, the other is Our Lady of Fatima. Also in addition to these there is a window with Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal by one of the side exits. These are the only apparitions of Our Lady recognized by the Church.

The largest windows are four pairs of windows on each side of the Church for a total of 16 windows. The first window depicts St Dominic receiving The Rosary from Mary. Tradition says that Mary first revealed the Rosary devotion to St. Dominic in the church of Prouille, France in the year 1208. The other 15 windows depict the Mysteries of the Rosary; starting with The 5 Joyful Mysteries, then the 5 Sorrowful Mysteries, and last the 5 Glorious Mysteries. Which follows the life of Jesus and Mary in chronological order.

Below these windows are marble and tile Stations of the Cross.

Large paintings over the two side front exits both depict Jesus. One is Jesus as The Good Shepard; the other is Jesus with Mary Magdalene in the garden after the Resurrection.

The front side exit on the parking lot side also has two statues of Jesus and a window of Jesus as Christ The King.

Coat of arms across the front of the choir loft.
Pope Pius XII is in the center. The current (1956)Archbishop and Bishops are on the left of center. The recent past Cardinal and Bishops are on the right of the Pope.
Left to right:

	Bishop Joseph McShea The pontifical hat is called a "gallero," with its six tassels in three rows, on either side of the shield, all in green. These are the heraldic insignia of a prelate of the rank of Bishop. Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia in 1952. In 1961 Bishop Joseph McShea was installed as the first Bishop of Allentown. He resigned on February 8, 1983. Bishop McShea died November 28, 1991 at the age of 83. Latin Motto: “Under the Shadow of Peter”
	Bishop Joseph Carroll McCormick Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia in 1947. Appointed as Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown in 1960. Appointed as Bishop of Scranton in 1966. Retired in 1983. Died November 12, 1996 Latin Motto: God Over All Things
	Archbishop John Francis O'Hara, C.S.C. The four rows of tassels with the bishops staff signify an Archbishop. Later John Francis Cardinal O'Hara, C.S.C. Appointed Archbishop of Philadelphia November 23 , 1951 Elevated to Cardinal December 15, 1958 Died August 28, 1960 Latin Motto: Do Not Deviate From The Course
	Pope Pius XII The symbols of papal authority, which are the tiara (the Papal Tiara formed by three crowns symbolizing the triple power of the Pope: father of kings, governor of the world and Vicar of Christ) and the keys of St. Peter or supreme keys, "to bind and to unloose", one in gold and the other in silver, crossed and bound with a red cord, are located directly behind the Pontiff’s personal coat of arms. The gold one, on the right, alludes to the power in the kingdom of the heavens, the silver one, on the left, indicates the spiritual authority of the papacy on earth. The mechanisms are turned up towards the heaven and the grips turned down, in other words into the hands of the Vicar of Christ. The cord with the bows that unites the grips alludes to the bond between the two powers. Pope Pius XII was elected Pope March 2 1939. Pius XII died on October 9, 1958
		Dennis Joseph Cardinal Dougherty Cardinal Hat with five rows of tassels and Cardinal’s staff signify a Cardinal. Appointed Archbishop of Philadelphia in 1918. Elevated to Cardinal in 1921. Cardinal Dougherty died May 31, 1951 Latin Motto: You Will Conquer in the Sign of the Cross

We could not find this one but this Bishop was the only other Auxiliary Bishop in Philadelphia in the early years of our parish.

Bishop Gerald Patrick Aloysius O'Hara

Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia in 1929

Appointed as Bishop of Savannah, Georgia in 1935

Appointed as Archbishop of Savannah-Atlanta in 1950

Appointed as Archbishop of Roman Curia in 1959

Died July 16, 1963

Latin Motto: To Hand Over Life To Christ

Bishop Hugh Louis Lamb

Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia in 1935.

Appointed Bishop of Greensburg, PA in 1951

Died December 8, 1959

Latin Motto: Glory To God Alone

Our Confessionals are located on each side of the Church in the center of the side walls. Between the Confessionals are candles for lighting and statues of saints on each side, and a statue of Mary.

	Saint Anthony and Saint Therese
St. John Vianney	Our Lady Of Fatima

Other statues of Saints are located around the Church

Saint Cyril by side exit was originally in the old Church

Saint Rita was a wife and mother, and later became a nun

Saint Joseph in the choir loft.

Many of the windows by our side exits also depict saints. Some of the saints are depicted with their symbol instead of their image.

St Frances Cabrini	St. Vincent de Paul	St Bridgit
St Catherine of Alexandria	St. Patrick	St. Jude

We have a statue of Mary to the left of the Altar and St. Joseph on the right of the Altar. This is a tradition in many Churches

The Rose windows are located above the side exits at the back of the church to the sides of the altar.

The Rosette window on Mary’s side depicts the symbols of the apostles with Jesus in the center.

Peter (Simon) – 2 keys

Andrew – (also a fisherman and brother of Peter) 2 fish

James – fisherman – 3 scallops; pilgrim’s staff; coat with hat

John – (brother of James) serpent from cup; eagle from cauldron

Philip – staff surmounted by cross – 2 loaves of bread

Bartholomew – 3 knives; 1 knife; opened Bible and knife

Thomas – (twin) carpenter’s square, spear or lance

Matthew – tax collector – 3 money bags, purse, chest

James the Less – fuller’s bat or club or saw

Jude (Thaddeus) – cousin of Jesus - sailboat or long staff

Simon the Zealot – fish on a hook; one or two oars with battle ax

Matthias (replaced Judas) lance or barb & sword.

The Rosette window on St. Joseph’s side depicts the Fruits of the Holy Spirit with a dove representing The Holy Spirit in the center. These are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. Tradition lists Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-control and Chastity.

The Mural on the ceiling above the Altar depicts God The Father and The Holy Spirit looking down surrounded by angels.

The six narrow windows behind the altar depict six Sacraments with the seventh Sacrament depicted on the Altar. The Angels in the paintings are holding implements from the Crucifixion and the Crucifixion is depicted above the Altar.

The Pelican on the Tabernacle is a bird that nourishes its young with its own blood; this symbolizes Our Lord feeding the faithful with the Blessed Sacrament.

The four symbols on the corners of the tabernacle are figures of a Man, a Lion, an Ox, and an Eagle referring to Saint Matthew, Saint Mark, Saint Luke and Saint John and symbolize the Gospels

These four symbols are also on our lights hanging from the ceiling.

Our altar contains relics from Saint Cyril, Saint Gregory, and Saint Titus.

Our marble alter is from Ireland.

Fr. Burke believed he saw the profile of Santa Claus in the marble on the right of the altar.

The Ambry is located behind the small metal door near the entrance to the Sacristy. The Ambry houses the vessels containing the sacramental oils: Chrism, the Oil of the Sick, and the Oil of the Catechumens. When the pastor of a parish acquires the blessed oils from his bishop, he is required to “keep them carefully in fitting custody.” We now have an additional new Ambry located on the wall near the Baptismal Font. This reminds us that Baptism is the gateway to all the other sacraments.

The wall above the altar rail is painted with the Greek letter Alpha on the left and Omega on the right. Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet, signify the Eternity of God, Who, without beginning or end, cannot be conceived of except under human limitations. These letters are painted with a background of the letter P over the letter X or Chi - Rho. "The monogram of the name of Christ, formed of the two first letters of that name in Greek, X and P is the celebrated sign which appeared in the sky at noon-day to the Emperor Constantine and his troops, and was afterwards adopted by him on his standard...")

Above this wall following the arc of the ceiling is the Angus Dei or “Lamb of God”. There had been a controversy regarding the Angus Dei – was it “Lamb of God who takes away the **sin or sins*** of the world?” Father Fallon went to Rome to find out!

Major changes to the Church after it was built:

The altar was moved out so the priest would face the congregation during the Mass in about 1970.

The Communion Rail was removed to open up the front of the church and some of the center pews were removed to open up the center of the church. The Baptismal Font was then moved to the open area created in the center of the Church. This happened in about 1995.

The marble removed from the altar rail and candle areas and the wood from the pews have all been re-cycled and now serve other purposes. The table for the Gifts at Mass, tables for various booklets, etc.

Many other Symbols can be seen on the doors and windows. Some of them are:

Three Circles, connected by bands forming an equilateral triangle, symbolize the Three Persons of the Ever Blessed TRINITY.

The Eye symbolizes GOD the FATHER, telling that He sees and knows all that we do.

Of Flowers the Lily signifies purity

The Fish represents Our LORD and also the Eucharist. The Greek word "Ixthus"* which means "Fish," is spelled from the first letters of Greek words meaning, "Jesus CHRIST, Son of GOD SAVIOR." This sign was used as a secret symbol by the early Christians in the days of persecution.

The Lamb typifies Our Lord as the Lamb of GOD that taketh away the sin of the world. It is usually seen holding a Banner and Cross.

A Light symbolizes the Presence of GOD, as the Burning Bush to Moses, or the Pillar of Flame to the Israelites. Thus the Red Lamp or Candle before the Altar notes the Presence of Our LORD in the Blessed Sacrament.

The Star is the emblem of CHRIST, "the bright and morning Star." This is particularly used to illustrate Christmas and Epiphany.

The Holy Communion is represented by a Chalice with the Host above it; by the Wheat and Grapes and also by some of the Symbols of Our LORD.

The Trefoil, copied after the Clover or shamrock, represents the Trinity. Saint Patrick is said to have taught this doctrine from a Shamrock.

The sea-shell symbolizes the pilgrim.

Outside, beyond the handicap ramp we have our Memory Walk – memorial bricks, and as we walk around to Lewis Ave in front of the Social Hall entrance, we have a Sacred Heart Statue dedicated on June 11, 1944 for the service men & women. This was originally located by the original Church, and plates with names of deceased soldiers were thought to have been incorporated in the monument to Mary dedicated to Fr. Fallon.

New information: Frank Ghilardi (deceased) of 260 Hirst Ave. East Lansdowne, Pa. Worked for Belfi Brothers. They installed the tile, marble, and terrazzo floors. Frank was a terrazzo finisher. He was involved in grinding the terrazzo floors. After the floors were installed, he grounded them to the design you see now.

The window in the original baptismal area depicts John the Baptist and the Baptism of Jesus. The Baptismal Font was moved to the center of the Church because of overcrowding in the smaller area.

Some of the craftsmanship of our parishioners is on display during the Lenten season.

This cross was designed by Fr. Burke and its construction was overseen by Rick Byrne. It is constructed of reinforcing rods used to strengthen concrete. The spaces in the center were designed to add to the visual effect.

The two crosses above - one used in the planter in front of the Church during Lent and the Easter Season and the other in one of the gardens on the side of the Church year round - were constructed by parishioner Dick Kollhoff with Bob Burns of the parish staff.