The eye-catching new mosaic at Holy Cross Church

Holy Cross Church in West Fargo was dedicated March 20, 2025. As beautiful as the new church was, there was still much interior work to be completed, especially the artwork. 

One of the first large pieces of art to be completed and installed was the mosaic behind the crucifix that was put in place earlier this summer. It is eye-catching and unique. One of the most frequently asked questions by those who view it is “Why peacocks?” According to liturgical artist Paige Stransky, who is the chief artistic designer for the church, the peacock has deep, religious meaning. 

“In early Christian and Romanesque art, the image of the peacock held deep symbolic meaning, often representing immortality and the resurrection,” said Stransky. “This association arose from the ancient belief that the flesh of the peacock did not decay, a notion echoed by early Church Fathers like St. Augustine. As Christianity emerged within the Roman Empire, early Christians adopted and reinterpreted existing symbols through a theological lens. The peacock, with its radiant plumage and cyclical molting, became a powerful image of Christ’s triumph over death and the promise of eternal life.” 

“One of the most striking features of the peacock is the ‘eye’ pattern at the end of each feather. For early Christians, this was seen as a symbol of the all-seeing eye of God, his divine watchfulness, omniscience, and providence over creation. It became a powerful reminder that the faithful are always under his care.” 

“Peacocks were especially prominent in funerary art, adorning the tombs of early Christian martyrs in the Roman catacombs. Their presence alongside symbols like the Tree of Life or the Eucharistic banquet signified the martyrs’ glorification and the hope of resurrection. Sarcophagi and frescoes often featured peacocks flanking sacred imagery, visually proclaiming that death was not the end, but the gateway to eternal life in Christ. Today, the image of the peacock in sacred spaces, such as the vibrant mosaic depicted here, continues to echo this ancient Christian tradition, reminding the faithful of resurrection, renewal, and the eternal glory that awaits in heaven.”