Tour Washington National Cathedral's High Altar Reredos
This spectacular carved stone wall behind the Cathedral's High Altar is known as the Ter Sanctus ("thrice holy") reredos. Explore its more than 100 statues.
High Altar Reredos by Angelo Lualdi (1881-1979)Washington National Cathedral
A "glorious company"
More than 100 statues surround the central figure of Christ in Majesty and portray historical figures, apostles, martyrs, and leaders of the Christian Church throughout the ages.
From Florence to Washington
Sculptor Angelo Lualdi (1881–1979) of Cambridge, Mass. prepared plaster models in a studio in Florence, Italy. The final figures were shipped to America from Italy by boat. They were carved on site by Cathedral stone carvers.
The central image of Christ in Majesty is surrounded by angelic figures: four at the corners of its oval frame, and columns of smaller angelic figures to either side (designed by Italo Fanfani).
Symbols of the authors of the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—and the prophet Ezekiel appear beneath its feet.
Standing just above the altar are a series of Old Testament prophets whose writings and lives foretold of the coming of the Messiah.
An architectural panel beneath the Majestus depicts the Virgin Mary surrounded by the followers of Jesus returning to Jerusalem following the Crucifixion.
The six figures surrounding the Majestus recall the Works of Mercy from the Gospel of Matthew. The large scale and prominent placement of the six statues serve to highlight their significance to the Christian understanding of responsibility to those around us.
On either side of this central panel, there are groupings of statues depicting biblical figures, early saints, and bishops and other church leaders, including some who have served at Washington National Cathedral. These figures from across time and space are unified stylistically.
For example, here are statues of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus
According to Luke, Martha provided Jesus with food, while Mary listened to his teaching. Christian writers have interpreted the sisters as symbolizing the active and contemplative lives. According to John, Jesus resurrected their brother Lazarus after four days.
... and a statue of the Cathedral's founding bishop
Henry Yates Satterlee (1843–1908) was the first bishop of Washington. Under his leadership the Cathedral was founded, and the cornerstone laid on Sept. 29, 1907. Satterlee is interred in the Cathedral’s Bethlehem Chapel.
Explore more of the reredos' statues
Take the High Altar tour on our app (download at cathedral.org/app) or virtually walk or fly up to the statues on our 3D model (access at cathedral.org/discover/3d-virtual-tour/).
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