This page contains the rubrics and traditions of St. Paul concerning flowers & decorations for the narthex, nave, and altar. The rubrics change throughout the seasons.

Advent: Decorations are preferably added to the church each Sunday. No flowers on the altar except on the 3rd Sunday.

• 1st Sunday: Undecorated Tree.
• 2nd Sunday: Greenery with red berries in the nave and narthex.
• 3rd Sunday: Some decorations added to the tree, minimal decorations in the altar area, flowers are permitted on the altar.
• 4th Sunday: After Mass, all decorations are displayed and the tree is fully decorated. If necessary, all decorations, including the decorated tree, may be put up after December 15th.
• Mass of Christmas I: Everything is fully decorated. The poinsettias are brought out during the Gloria of the Mass of Christmas I. All flowers, including poinsettias, are watered and kept out as long as possible in the coming weeks.

Lent: No flowers on the altar except on the 4th Sunday beginning with Ash Wednesday.

• Pink flowers are allowed on the altar on the 4th Sunday of Lent.
• On Palm Sunday, the priest will bless a section of palms before Lauds for use as decorations throughout the church. This includes the entire nave, altar area, processional items, and narthex. The remaining palms are blessed after Mass and distributed for the procession.
• Holy Wednesday: At Tenebrae, all are invited to decorate the altar of repose.
• Holy Thursday: Flowers may be on the altar for the Mass only. The “garden” at the altar of repose is heavily decorated with greenery and flowers.
• Pascha: White flowers, preferably lilies, are everywhere in the altar area and surrounding the altar. All flowers are watered and kept out as long as possible in the coming weeks.

Pentecost: Bright, lively flowers for the altar with red, pink, and yellow.

• Greenery with a heavier emphasis on red. It should look different than Advent.
• May include shades of red, such as rose and pink, and also include yellows.

Sponsored Full-size Icons: On the Sunday before a sponsored icon, such as St. Stephen the Protomartyr, a decoration shall be placed over the icon to remind people that his feast day is that week. It should be removed before Mass of the following Sunday.

Jan 25: Conversion of St. Paul (at the altar)
Feb 7: St. Richard of Wessex (sponsored)
Mar 1: St. David of Wales (sponsored)
Mar 17: St. Patrick (sponsored)
Mar 24: Archangel Gabriel (sponsored)
June 11: St. Ia of the Boxer Rebellion (sponsored)
June 23: St. Audrey (sponsored)
June 29: Ss. Peter & Paul (at the altar)
July 11: Solemnity of St. Benedict (oblates & novices only)
July 15: St. Vladimir (sponsored)
July 24: St. Christina of Tyre (sponsored)
July 25: St. James the Greater (sponsored)
July 26: St. Anna, Mother of BVM (sponsored)
Oct 12: St. Symeon, New Theologian (sponsored)
Oct 24: St. Raphael Archangel (sponsored)
Nov 21: Presentation of BVM (sponsored)
Nov 22: St. Cecelia (sponsored)
Nov 25: St. Katherine of Alexandria (sponsored)
Dec 4: St. Barbara (sponsored)
Dec 13: St. Lucy (sponsored)
Dec 16: St. Adelaide of Burgundy (sponsored)
Dec 25: St. Anastasia sponsored)
Dec 26: St. Stephen, Protomartyr (sponsored)