Meeting the dragon

The children from St James's School have been visiting the dragon today before it returns to its perch on top of the bell tower.

Here is the information sheet that we have been giving visitors to the church over the past weekend when they have come to view the dragon: 

The famous golden weathervane on the top of St James's bell tower has been a local landmark for nearly two centuries. It has an interesting link with the City of London, just across the river.

The City's coat of arms features a shield with the cross of St George, supported by two dragons (famously defeated by the saint).

This has led to the dragon itself being seen as a symbol of London, and to it being immortalised in a least one City church, namely, St Mary-le-Bow, whose dragon bears more than a passing resemblance to that of St James. (It also has two red crosses of St George painted on it, confirming the link with St George and the City coat of arms).

Whether the founders of St James had a link with St Mary-le-Bow or whether they were city businessmen wanting to make a link with the City of London across the river, it seems that the dragon of St James is a link to the City. Via the City, it is a link to St George, and via St George, to the triumph of good over evil. As such it makes sense as a symbol on top of the church.

The City's motto itself is instructive: Domine Nos Dirige, or, Lord, Guide Us.

As well as featuring in the legend of St George and the Dragon, the dragon features in the Bible in the book of Revelation (chapter 12). Here the dragon is a symbol of the devil, of evil and of everything that is opposed to God. But Revelation 12 describes the dragon being defeated by the Archangel Michael and the angels of heaven.

Verse 9 says ‘The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.’ The victory came from Christ’s death on the cross - Revelation 12.11 says ‘They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb.’

Although, evil continues in the world, the Bible tells us that it has been defeated by Christ on the cross. In due time it will be completely eradicated from the world (1 John 3.8).

Now refurbished and repaired, St James’s dragon, will soon return to its perch on the top of the tower.

It stands there as a reminder that the church exists to proclaim the word and works of Jesus Christ, who has defeated the devil, and will return to this earth to take up his reign and ‘make all things new’ (Revelation 21.5), ushering in a new world where  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21.4).                                                  

Sketching the dragon