František Trstenský

The coat of arms represents the personal story and spiritual ideals of Bishop František. The green hat with six tassels on either side signifies the episcopal rank. The ruffled appearance of the tassels represents the breath of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 3:8). On the processional cross, there is a…

The coat of arms represents the personal story and spiritual ideals of Bishop František. The green hat with six tassels on either side signifies the episcopal rank. The ruffled appearance of the tassels represents the breath of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 3:8). On the processional cross, there is a Christological symbol: five red rubies representing the stigmata received by the baptismal patron of the bearer of the coat of arms, Saint Francis of Assisi, through which he was mystically united with the suffering Christ on the cross. The blue colour of the shield represents heavenly bliss, the goal of the earthly pilgrimage – our true homeland (Philippians 3:20). The netted border is an allusion to Christ's words addressed to the Apostle Peter: "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch!" (Luke 5:4). The gold colour symbolises the immense value of this work. The rocky peaks represent the Tatra Mountains, around which the Diocese of Spiš winds. In the centre of the shield lies an open book symbolising the Holy Scripture, which is the light and nourishment of life. The bearer of the coat of arms has a particularly close connection to it because his theological specialisation is biblical sciences. The sword is an attribute of the patron of the Diocese of Spiš, Saint Martin, a great social patron. The upright position of the sword represents vigilance and readiness for immediate assistance and for doing good. The crossing of the book and the sword symbolises the close connection between Scripture and Tradition, faith and life. The star is an ancient Marian symbol; it speaks of the Virgin Mary as the Morning Star, who gives direction by pointing to her Son, Christ. The shape of the star is derived from the coat of arms of Pope Francis, who called Bishop František to apostolic service on 8 September 2023, on the Marian feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The red rose is a Christological symbol. The Church Fathers already compared the fragrance of wild roses to the fragrance of Christ. The pleasant scent of the flower attracts even from a great distance, and similarly, Christ, through the fragrance of His Word, attracts the seeking and the lost to Himself. The red colour of the rose symbolises Christ's blood from the Cross, which is made present every day in the unbloody sacrifice of the Holy Mass. The rose is an attribute of many saints who, through their lives, became a fragrance pleasing to Christ. Among them is Saint Rita, to whom the bearer of the coat of arms has a special devotion.