“In portrait icons, Paul usually wears a dark red outer garment over a blue inner one; and he always has a long, dark beard with curling strands and a bald forehead. Paul holds a book, because he is the writer of books of the bible. I chose green for the background as it would complement the red, but also because green signifies growth.” [VW Barber, Carmelite Digest, spring 2009, p. 6] This icon was written by Virginia Barber, OCDS.

In the Pauline seal for Year of St Paul, the chain represents Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, the sword symbolizes his martyrdom by beheading, the book represents his writings, the cross symbolizes Jesus Christ, the tongue of flames refers to the Holy Spirit, 2008-2009 are the dates of the Pauline Year and 29VI represents June 29, the last day of the Pauline Year, and the feast of Sts. Peter & Paul.