There are many stories in the New Testament of the apostle St. Peter . Stained glass artists are most fond of portraying him with the keys to the kingdom of heaven, indicating his leadership of the church and its special role in saving souls. He is also shown sinking in the Sea of Galilee because his faith weakens as he attempts to walk on the water towards Jesus. Saints who lived after biblical times are also common subjects in church windows, predominantly in Roman Catholic and Episcopal churches. The story of St. Martin , a Roman soldier who cut his cloak in half to share with a freezing beggar, provides an example of Christian charity to the poor.
Martyrs are favorite subjects of church windows, and have their own iconography.
A martyred saint is customarily shown holding palm branches, a symbol of martyrdom, along with images suggesting the method of death or torture. St. Lawrence, for example, who was roasted alive is shown with a large gridiron, while St. Christine , who was drowned tied to a millstone is shown with palm branches, a rope and a millstone. Angels are among the most frequent images found in stained glass. They appear as small decorative figures in windows on various subjects, but they also play a central role in some narratives. The angel Gabriel has a prominent role in the Annunciation, and artists have lavished much effort on their portrayals of him.