Apostles stained glass window, Chartres cathedral, France
Jesus ascends into Heaven, blessing with his right hand and holding in his left a globe inscribed with alpha and omega, symbolising that he is everything. The apostles watch his ascension from below. This is the uppermost panel of the window. Section of the Ascension of Christ, from the Apostles window, 1212-25, in the axial chapel in the ambulatory of Chartres Cathedral, Eure-et-Loir, France. This window represents the birth of the Church, as the apostles are the first pillar of the church and therefore has the site with the most sunlight to illuminate the colours. Chartres cathedral was built 1194-1250 and is a fine example of Gothic architecture. Most of its windows date from 1205-40 although a few earlier 12th century examples are also intact. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Picture by Manuel Cohen
