The Christian year contains two cycles: The Christmas Cycle (Advent - Christmas - Epiphany) and the Easter Cycle (Lent - Easter - Pentecost). Within each cycle are a preparatory season symbolized by the color purple and a festival season symbolized by the color white. After each cycle there is an ordinary time of growth symbolized by the color green. Thus there is a sequence of seasons using purple, white, and green in that order twice each year.

Purple, the color of both penitence and royalty, is used during the preparatory seasons of Advent and Lent. Blue, a color of hope, also may be used during Advent.

White and gold are joyous and festive colors used during the Christmas and Easter Seasons (except on the Day of Pentecost) and in other seasons on festive days such as the Baptism of the Lord, Transfiguration, Trinity, All Saints, and Christ the King. White also may be used at weddings and at services where the Sacrament of Baptism is central. White is recommended at services of death and resurrection because it symbolizes both death and resurrection.

Green, a color of growth, is used in the Seasons after Epiphany and Pentecost.

Red is a color of fire, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. It is used on the Day of Pentecost and at other times when the work of the Holy Spirit is empha- sized. Red also is the color of blood - the blood of Christ and the blood of martyrs.