Arms of The Toronto School of Theology

Blazon

Argent a cross Azure between four oak leaves fructed Vert, overall an open book Argent bound Sable inscribed with the Greek word ÓYNEPÃOYNTEÓ;

Symbolism

The basic colours, blue and white, are those of the University of Toronto, with which the Toronto School of Theology (T.S.T) is affiliated. The cross is the principal symbol of the Christian religion, taught in all the partner colleges in the T.S.T. The oak leaves are an allusion to Queen’s Park, around which the partner colleges are situated, and to the oak tree crest of the University of Toronto. Each leaf has seven lobes, signifying the seven founding colleges of the T.S.T. Being four in number, the leaves indicate the four gospels pointing to Christ (here represented as the cross), and they are placed in a circular shape alluding to eternity and to the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). The green colour indicates liveliness and new growth, and the acorns signify the work of education “bearing fruit” in the minds, lives, and hearts of the graduates. The book refers to the Bible and, by its open position, to the spirit of inquiry and study.