Transfiguration Window
Far down the South Quire Aisle on the south wall is the Transfiguration Window.
Did you know?
- In 2010 it was given by the Friends of Durham Cathedral in honour of Michael Ramsey (1904-1988).
- The window design combines multiple layers of time and meaning. It includes key figures from both the Bible and the history of Durham itself.
- Durham Cathedral is shown over the forested vale with people on a pilgrimage making their way towards it. One of the pilgrims looks like Michael Ramsey himself.
Things to look for
The Transfiguration of Christ
The Transfiguration of Christ is the Bible story of how Jesus Christ took three of his apostles, Peter, James, and John, up a high mountain. Jesus began to shine with a bright white light, and the Old Testament prophets Elijah and Moses appeared. The prophets spoke about Jesus’ approaching death, which frightened the Apostles.
Shown at the bottom of the window is the healing of an epileptic boy, which took place at the foot of the mountain immediately after the Transfiguration.
St Cuthbert’s hermit days
Durham Cathedral is shown over the forested vale with people on a pilgrimage making their way towards it. One of the pilgrims looks like Michael Ramsey himself.
St Cuthbert is shown praying on the island of Inner Farne. An eagle, associated with Cuthbert, can also be spotted.
When St Cuthbert lived with the monks on Lindisfarne, he would sometimes go to a rocky island 100 yards to the southwest of the Priory in search of solitude. The remains of a later chapel can be seen there, and it is known as St Cuthbert’s Island. Later, deciding he wanted to be somewhere even more remote, he moved away from the main island to Inner Farne, the largest of the Farne Islands.
Notable people
Michael Ramsey
Michael Ramsey served as Canon Professor at Durham Cathedral in the 1940s. He became Bishop of Durham (1952-1956), Archbishop of York (1956-1961), and finally Archbishop of Canterbury (1961-1974). The inspiration for the window is likely to have come from the book Ramsey said he most enjoyed writing, 'The Glory of God and the Transfiguration of Christ', written in 1949.
Tom Denny
Tom Denny (b.1956), famous for his biblical-themed glass art, designed and made the window. He used silver staining and hand painting, together with an acid-etching technique on layers of glass to produce an immersive, textured effect.
Follow the guided tour
You’re in: The Shrine of St Cuthbert You’re at: Transfiguration Window Next stop: The Chapel of the Nine Altars
- Turn left and walk forwards, you are now entering the Chapel of the Nine Altars