Edward Nason West (1909–1990) was an Episcopal priest and fixture at the
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine (sometimes referred to as St. John's and also nicknamed St. John the Unfinished) is the cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. It is at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue in the Morningside Heights neighborhood ...
in
New York City where he served for many years as canon sacrist and sub dean. He was also a theologian, an author, an internationally known iconographer and an expert in the design of church furnishings. He was the inspiration for
Canon Tallis
Madeleine L'Engle, an American novelist, diarist and poet, produced over twenty novels, beginning with ''The Small Rain'' (1945), and continuing into the 1990s with '' A Live Coal in the Sea'' (1996). Many of her fictional characters appeared in mo ...
in
Madeleine L'Engle
Madeleine L'Engle DStJ (; November 29, 1918 – September 6, 2007) was an American writer of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and young adult fiction, including ''A Wrinkle in Time'' and its sequels: ''A Wind in the Door'', ''A Swiftly Tilting Plan ...
's young adult novels and was Madeleine's spiritual mentor. He was a graduate of
Boston University and the
General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church. He was an Officer of the
Order of the British Empire; an Officer of the
Order of Orange-Nassau; a Chevalier of the
Legion of Honor
The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon ...
; and a Knight Commander of the Royal
Order of St. Sava.
Early life and education
West was born in
Boston and graduated from
Boston University in 1931. After graduating from the
General Theological Seminary he was ordained a deacon in 1934 and was ordained a priest in 1935.
Career
He served as curate and then rector of Trinity Church in
Ossining, New York, from 1934 to 1941 and was then named the Sacrist at the
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine (sometimes referred to as St. John's and also nicknamed St. John the Unfinished) is the cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. It is at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue in the Morningside Heights neighborhood ...
. He was named Canon Sacrist in 1943 and Sub Dean of the cathedral in 1966. As Sub Dean, he was responsible for cathedral life when the Dean was absent or, as was often the case, when the position was unfilled. He retired in 1981 as Canon Sacrist.
Authority on Liturgical Art
He was also an authority on liturgical art and designed and painted the iconostasis, or altar screens, of the
Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava in Manhattan. He also created the official emblem of the worldwide Anglican Communion, designed the coat of arms for the Diocese of Albany, as well as Episcopal rings, stained glass windows, altar frontals, processional crosses and religious vestments.
In 1989 Walker Publishing Company of New York published his book ''Outward Signs: The Language of Christian Symbolism''.
Spiritual influence and Practice
Canon West was a high church Episcopalian attuned to both Anglican and Eastern Orthodox culture and practice. He was a huge fan of writer Fyodor Dostoevsky and was especially fond of, and fashioned his mission akin to the character Father Zossima in the Brother's Karamazof (a
starets, or Christian guru without high political ranking but the go-to person for advice among the people in his community.)
Role in assisting Jewish refugees in World War II
Canon West assisted with the resettlement of Jewish refugees in World War II. For his services and those of the Cathedral of St. John as a whole, the cathedral was given two giant
menorah
Menorah may refer to:
* Jewish candelabra:
** Temple menorah, a seven-lamp candelabrum used in the ancient Tabernacle in the desert, the Temple in Jerusalem, and synagogues
** Hanukkah menorah or ''hanukkiyah'', a nine-lamp candelabrum used on the ...
s by
Adolph Ochs
Adolph Simon Ochs (March 12, 1858 – April 8, 1935) was an American newspaper publisher and former owner of ''The New York Times'' and ''The Chattanooga Times'' (now the ''Chattanooga Times Free Press'').
Early life and career
Ochs was born t ...
, publisher of
the New York Times. These stand today before the cathedral's high altar.
Mentor to writer Madeleine L'Engle
Canon West was a spiritual mentor and a literary adviser to writer Madeleine L'Engle. The two had a long and close relationship, always platonic, which carried with it both a formality and informality at the same time. Madeleine became the cathedral's librarian and her office was adjacent to his, with a door that went from the library to his office. The two also shared a love of dogs, and together cared for Irish Setters. The two together also served as mentors to many people who were part of the Cathedral community and otherwise.
References
External links
Obituaryfrom
The New York TimesBibliographic directoryfrom
Project Canterbury Project Canterbury (sometimes abbreviated as PC) is an online archive of material related to the history of Anglicanism. It was founded by Richard Mammana, Jr. in 1999 with a grant from Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold, and is ho ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:West, Edward Nason
1909 births
1990 deaths
Recipients of the Order of St. Sava
Boston University alumni