For a few years Redeemer had a lovely liturgical calendar displayed in the lobby, but which was taken down during some renovations. Following that time, I had been thinking about other calendar-type pieces that could serve the same function while adding some beauty to the space. I approached Redeemer’s Arts Council with an idea for the liturgical clock which was to incorporate the utility of the liturgical calendar while expanding upon it. Adopting a concentric orientation, I also designed the clock to convey important moments and periods in salvation history—our journey from the city of man to the city of God. The circular structure also allows the clock to express what I refer to as “typological time,” in which the viewer is invited to consider the life and ministry of Christ according to “types,” images, and prophecies that anticipate Him. I fabricated the clock from African mahogany, acrylic paint, and a wide variety of abalone shell and unveiled it on the first Sunday of Advent in 2017. The hand was custom made by my mother, Jan Aijian, from bronze. I hope that the clock serves as both a work of art and devotional aid to help its viewers locate themselves in different kinds of time where God orders all things to his glory and our good.
- Phillip Aijian
- Phillip Aijian
How to Tell Time with a Liturgical Clock
Firstly, as indicated by the clock hand, is “liturgical time,” identifying the current season of the church year. Beginning from the top (the 12 o’clock position), these seasons are Advent (1), Christmas (2), Epiphany (3), Lent (4), Holy Week (5), Easter (6), and Pentecost (7). Following the resolution of Pentecost, Normal Time begins (8).
Secondly, the clock conveys “soteriological time;” a sense of the Church’s location in salvation history. This is our journey from the beginning of time to the end of time; from the city of man to the city of God.
The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (1), Tree of Life (2), the Curse in Genesis 3 (3), the Flood (4), The City of Man (5)* , Slavery in Egypt and the Exodus (6), the Temple and the Prophets (7)* , the Incarnation (8)*, Christ’s Baptism (9), the Temptation in the Desert (10), the Transfiguration (11), The Blood of Christ (12), the Crucifixion (13), the Resurrection (14), The Great Commission (15), The Ascension (16), Pentecost (17), the Present (18), The Judgement (19), Death (20), The Foundations of New Jerusalem (21)* , the 12 Gates (for the 12 Tribes) of the City of God (22), The Throne of God (A), the Lamb of God (B), The Tree of Life (C), and the River of God (D)
{5*} The City of Man features a clockwise presentation of the Tower of Babel, the Taj Mahal, The Sydney Opera House, The Statue of Liberty, The Eiffel Tower, the Kremlin, and the Pyramids at Giza.
[7*) Purple for the Tabernacle and temple veils, with the pillars of cloud and fire on either side. These circles also stand for the “wheel within a wheel” from Ezekiel’s vision.
[8*] Purple for royalty, Blue for baptism (also for Mary), White for Advent, Green for Christ as Creator, and Gold for Christ the King
[21*] The foundations are, proceeding clockwise from the 12 o’clock position, The first foundation jasper, sapphire, agate, emerald, onyx, ruby, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, turquoise, jacinth, and amethyst.
[7*) Purple for the Tabernacle and temple veils, with the pillars of cloud and fire on either side. These circles also stand for the “wheel within a wheel” from Ezekiel’s vision.
[8*] Purple for royalty, Blue for baptism (also for Mary), White for Advent, Green for Christ as Creator, and Gold for Christ the King
[21*] The foundations are, proceeding clockwise from the 12 o’clock position, The first foundation jasper, sapphire, agate, emerald, onyx, ruby, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, turquoise, jacinth, and amethyst.
Thirdly, the clock portrays “typological time” focusing on revelations of Christ as the long expected and promised Messiah. Beginning again at the cross, the viewer/reader of the clock is invited to consider events and images that prefigure Christ’s character and ministry by orienting his/her gaze along rays of icons that align between the cross and different liturgical seasons which are, themselves, oriented around the celebration of important events in the life and ministry of Christ.
The Alter of Incense (1), Noah’s Dove with the Olive Branch (2), The Holy Spirit as the Dove at Christ’s Baptism (3), The Nativity Star (4), The Bread of the Presence (5), The Burning Bush (6), The Laver/Basin (7), The 10 Commandments/Mt. Sinai (8), the Minora (9), the Bronze serpent on the cross (10), the Altar of Sacrifice (11), the Lord’s Supper (12), the Ark of the Covenant (13)