EUROPE BISHOP DEDICATES NEW EAST/WEST WINDOW

The Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe, Dr Geoffrey Rowell, was in Brussels to dedicate the new Great East Window in the Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Trinity on Sunday 2nd December. The huge work by Belgian artist Etienne Tribolet depicts in abstract form the three persons of the Trinity above Brussels’ Grand Place, with the Holy Spirit descending. Inscribed are the words of the St Matthew “Go into all the world…etc” underlining the inspiration - the desire to bring Christ to Brussels and to the world

Although it is known as “The Great East Window”, unusually the altar in Holy Trinity is at the West end of the church so the window is in fact situated at the western end of the building. It was completed in two stages. The first phase (inner three panels) was in 2002 and dedicated by Bishop Edward Holland in January 2003. The Second phase (outer two panels and upper rondels) was completed last month. Advent Sunday will appropriately be the first time that the window in all its glory will be revealed to the congregation see.
The Reverend Canon Dr Robert Innes, Chaplain at Holy Trinity says it is “stunningly beautiful! The completed work is reckoned to be more than twice as beautiful as the first phase alone. It is, I think, a very significant piece of modern art.”

The donors are an elderly and distinguished Belgian couple, Noel and Joan Anselot. Noel has a Catholic background and Joan a Methodist one. They have made their spiritual home at the Anglican church of Holy Trinity.

The artist Etienne Tribolet, a master glass painter and designer, was born in 1961 in the village of Wibrin (Houffalize) in the Belgian Ardennes. Even as a child, he had a natural inclination towards drawing. Later, after preparatory studies in the plastic arts at Institut Supérieur St Luc in Brussels, he went on to study the art of painting at Institut St Luc in Liège until 1985.
He has won scholarships to work in Switzerland and Germany and his work also adorns sacred buildings in France, including Villeneuve, Haute-Provence and Paris.

A picture of the window is available here.

More information from Canon Robert Innes 0032 251 17183