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COAT OF ARMS OF BISHOP PAUL PETER JESEP

Coat of Arms

 

Bishop Paul Peter's coat of arms is comprised of four symbols.  The most important is the burning rose at the top to represent his devotion to Holy Sophia (Wisdom).

Eastern Orthodox theologian Vladimir Solovyov, born of a Ukrainian mother, had three encounters with Holy Sophia during his life.  Solovyov's third encounter with Holy Wisdom inspired him to write the poem excerpted here:

"Earth and sky, the whole world smelled of roses!

[Holy Sophia] Agown in heavenly purple glow you stood,

Eyes full of azure fire,

Your gaze was the first blaze

Of world-filling, life-giving day . . .

In my soul those roses won't wither . . ."

Bishop Paul Peter's commitment to Holy Sophia is further expressed with the citation to Proverbs Chapter 8 at the bottom of the shield.

The three other symbols in the coat of arms reflect his commitment as a lawyer to justice (scales of justice), his pursuit as a writer to share his understanding of Holy Sophia (two crossed quills) and his heritage as an American of Ukrainian descent devoted to Thomas Paine republicanism who embraces pure Orthodoxy (trident) -- to love the Creator and unconditionally love sisters and brothesrs without judgement.  The miter and mantle represent his position as an Eastern Orthodox bishop.

The views and opinions in the articles above do not necessarily reflect those of the UAOC

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