Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa

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Civic heraldry of Canada > Ecclesiastical heraldry

CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL (Ottawa, Ontario)

Denomination : Anglican

Official blazon
Argent a pile reversed entire truncated at chief Or edged Azure overall a cross Gules surmounted by a cross wavy Argent charged with a like cross Azure voided of the field below all charged at their crossing with an inescutcheon Argent displaying the sacred monogram for Christ in letters Sable on a chief Azure between two estoils Or a bishop's mitre simplex Argent banded Or edged Azure inwards with infulae also Argent tipped Azure and fringed Or; Motto: COME ALL WHO ARE WEARY AND HEAVY LADEN

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted on June 20, 1995.

At the centre of the shield is the Chi-Rho emblem, made of the first letters of Christ’s name in Greek. This is traditionally used by churches with the name Christ Church. The blue and white wavy cross is inspired by the Cathedral’s West Memorial window, which in turn echoes the wavy cross in the coat of arms of the City of Ottawa. This indicates the meeting of the Ottawa, Gatineau and Rideau rivers. The wavy cross is in turn placed on a red cross, the emblem of St. George and an indication of the roots of the Anglican Church in England. The red cross is also prominent in the arms of the Diocese of Ottawa and of the Anglican Church of Canada. The gold section, edged in blue, represents rays of light and the fact that Christ is the Light of the World. The two gold stars on the top blue section of the shield represent lights in the darkness and thus the church’s mission to lead and bring others to Christ. The mitre placed between them is a reference to the fact that the Cathedral is the site of the bishop’s chair.

The motto is taken from Matthew 11:28.