The Chapel Virge

(below) A variety of color palette options (right) A drawing of the final design (left) The team explored several virge designs

A Journey of Faith

by AUSTIN WILLIAMS ’22

From the sacred Lessons and Carols ceremonies to the deeply personal Baccalaureate service each May, the St. Mark’s Chapel plays host to some of the School’s most cherished traditions.

And, each week during the school year, chapel services provide a brief respite from the busy school day, offering boys in all three divisions a chance to pause and reflect.

The chapel program can also be quite impactful in a boy’s individual spiritual journey. That’s exactly the case for Rob Parks ’71.

“The St. Mark’s chapel provided me with an example of sane faith, with both moderation and strength,” Parks told The ReMarker in October 2021. “That was very helpful for me in later life — it gives you a groundedness.”

In honor of this impact, Parks was inspired to make a unique and lasting gift to the Chapel and St. Mark's: a custom processional virge. With the School’s blessing, Parks worked with Chaplain Stephen Arbogast and Assistant Headmaster for External Affairs Scott Jolly to design and craft the ceremonial staff. “The team brought some great ideas, and Father Arbogast made sure we were in line with what we know of Saint Mark through scripture and tradition,” said Parks, who spent more than a year traveling through Europe in search of design inspiration. “I went to Saint Mark’s Basilica in Venice, read everything I could about lions and Saint Mark and researched artistic representations of both through the ages.”

The final virge is made of cedar of Lebanon and topped with a sterling silver orb and a winged lion representing Saint Mark. To craft the top pieces, Parks sought out Michael Rybicki, a renowned silversmith, who provided invaluable technical guidance in the design of the orb and lion.

A special dedication ceremony was held at an Evensong service during Alumni Weekend 2022, a fitting time for Parks to present the virge that he dedicated to two close friends: Ann and Steve Sebastian ’71.

“Steve was one of St. Mark’s great gifts to me,” Parks said. “Steve and Ann were with me when it was announced and had no idea they were going to be honored. Steve immediately touched me on the hand and Ann thought the School had made a mistake! With Alumni Weekend with my closest friends, it was a three-day celebration.”

Ultimately, Parks was thrilled to see his idea come to fruition. On the day it was unveiled, he remembers feeling pride and joy for how it was accepted.

“My hope was that it would become a symbol of unity in a diverse school community,” Parks said, “an object of beauty and a reminder of the importance of spirituality in our lives.”

The virge is made of cedar of Lebanon topped with a sterling silver orb and a winged lion representing Saint Mark.