The Rood Screen and the Sacred Tree

Within the hallowed spaces of churches, the Rood Screen stands as more than just a physical division. It is a threshold, a veil, a liminal space where the earthly and the divine converge. Its very name, derived from the Old English word "rood" for cross, immediately connects it to the central symbol of Christian faith: the cross of Christ. This connection is not merely etymological; it is deeply symbolic, intertwining the Rood Screen with the image of the Sacred Tree, a motif that stretches back to the very dawn of creation.   

A colourfully painted Rood Screen

The Sacred Tree, rooted in the biblical narrative of the Garden of Eden, represents life, knowledge, and the intricate order of the cosmos. Genesis 2:9 describes God planting "every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." These trees establish a hierarchy, a structure that mirrors the order of the church itself. Just as the church is divided into nave and chancel, with the Rood Screen marking the boundary, so too was Eden structured. The Rood Screen, therefore, echoes this primordial arrangement, a reminder of the original relationship between humanity and the divine.   

The Rood Screen is not a barrier, but a bridge. It is a meeting place where the holy encounters us. Adorned with images of saints, angels, and most significantly, the Crucifix, it allows us to glimpse the sacred. We see the most holy place through the saints, those who have gone before us in faith, and through the cross, the ultimate act of divine love and sacrifice. This echoes the sentiment of the Icon of the Tree of Life , where Christ is depicted as the central tree, with figures branching out from him, connected to him, drawing life from him, and taking on his form, his pattern.

There is a protective aspect to the Rood Screen as well. The leaves of a tree shield us from the sun's full power. The divine, in its immensity, can be overwhelming. The Rood Screen, in its symbolic function, acts as a filter, allowing us to approach the sacred gradually, with reverence and awe. It is a boundary to see through, to conceal, to reveal, a carefully orchestrated unveiling of the divine mystery.

The imagery of the tree extends to the fractal nature of its pattern. The Rood Screen, often carved with intricate, branching designs, reflects this fractal quality. Just as a tree's branches mirror the form of the whole, so too does the Rood Screen embody the interconnectedness of creation. This fractal pattern, seen in trees, lightning, leaves, rivers, and roads, suggests that any part of the pattern contains the image of the whole, implying a deep unity within the diversity of God's creation. The saints who adorn the Rood Screen are a fractal image of Christ, the whole image.

The narrative of salvation is also woven into the relationship between the Rood Screen and the Sacred Tree. The thorns from Eden, symbols of the fall and its consequences, become the crown of thorns, a symbol of Christ's suffering and ultimate triumph. The tree of life, present in the Garden, finds its fulfilment in the cross, the new tree of life. The cross, therefore, becomes the bridge to the holy, the very tree of life from which we partake, receiving the fruit of eternal life. The Rood Screen, standing before the altar where the Eucharist is celebrated, serves as a constant reminder of this transformative journey.   

The Rood Screen, in its intricate carvings and symbolic placement, invites us to contemplate the profound mysteries of faith. It is a testament to the enduring power of the Sacred Tree, a motif that connects creation, fall, redemption, and the ongoing relationship between humanity and the divine. As we stand before it, we are invited to enter into the sacred space, to partake of the tree of life, and to find our connection to God through the cross of Christ. It is a journey of enchantment, a journey into the heart of faith itself.