Home › Birth-Stones › Birth-Stones: John

Birth-Stones: John

One of the earliest writers to associate directly with the apostles the symbolism of the gems given as foundation stones of the New Jerusalem by St. John in Revelation xxi, 19, is Andreas, bishop of Caesarea. This author was at one time assigned by critics to the fifth century A.D., (Lucke, "Versuch einer Einleitung in die Offenbarung Johannes," Bonn, 1852, p. 964.) but more recent investigation has shown that he probably belonged to the last half of the tenth century. His exposition reads as follows: (Patrologiae Graecae, ed. Migne, vol. cvi, Parisiis, 1863, cols. 433-438.) The jasper, which like the emerald is of a greenish hue, probably signifies St. Peter, chief of the apostles, as one who so bore Christ's death in his inmost nature that his love for Him was always vigorous and fresh. By his fervent faith he has become our shepherd and leader. As the sapphire is likened to the heavens (from this stone is made a color popularly called lazur), I conceive it to mean St. Paul, since he was caught up to the third heaven, where his soul was firmly fixed. Thither he seeks to draw all those who may be obedient to him.

The chalcedony was not inserted in the high-priest's breastplate, but instead the carbuncle, of which no mention is made here. It may well be, however, that the author designated the carbuncle by the name chalcedony. Andrew, then, can be likened to the carbuncle, since he was splendidly illumined by the fire of the Spirit.

The emerald, which is of a green color, is nourished with oil, that its transparency and beauty may not change; we conceive this stone to signify John the Evangelist. He, indeed, soothed the souls dejected by sin with a divine oil, and by the grace of his excellent doctrine lends constant strength to our faith.