First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
Enter, rejoice and come in!
A collage of photos from the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa

The Chalice

At the opening of Sunday worship and other spiritual meetings, many UU congregations light a flame inside a chalice. This flaming chalice has become a well-known symbol of our denomination. It unites our members in worship and symbolizes the spirit of our work.

Lit chaliceThe story of the chalice:  An Austrian artist and refugee from the Nazis, Hans Deutsch, became involved with the Unitarian Service Committee (USC) during World War II.  The USC assisted people escaping from the Nazis and oversaw a secret network of couriers and agents.  This group asked Deutsch to create a symbol for them. He drew a pencil-and-ink chalice with a flame. The flaming chalice design was made into a seal for papers and a badge for agents moving refugees to freedom. It is now a symbol of Unitarian Universalism all around the world.