Flowers in the Orthodox Church: A New Project Begins
A couple of weeks ago, I began photographing a year-long project that’s close to my heart — Mirror of Paradise, a forthcoming book on flowers in the Orthodox Church. Written by floral designer Hannah Hunt, founder of Golden Thistle Design (now beautifully run by her daughter Erin), the book will guide readers in creating sustainable, reverent arrangements to adorn icons and celebrate the feasts of the Church.
Hannah’s vision is rooted in beauty and faith — as St. John of Kronstadt said, “Flowers are the last remnant of Paradise on earth.” Through this project, she’s offering a practical resource and an inspiration for Orthodox Christians who wish to bring that “remnant of Paradise” into their parishes.
I’m honored to capture the images for the book, working alongside Hannah and her daughter (my dear Koumbara, Erin) over the next year. You can follow our journey at @mirrorofparadise as we share the unfolding of this work.
Photos taken at the beautiful Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Potomac, Maryland.
Alexis El Massih is a wedding photographer serving Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia and destinations beyond.
Related Posts
