Who Won Our Christmas Icon Contest

And what is the remarkable story that caught our attention?

To our surprise we received over 100 wonderful letters in response to last month’s Christmas Icon Contest, including email from England, Australia, and Brazil. What a heart-warming pleasure to see such enthusiasm for our icons and incense, in some cases from clergy and laity who have been using our sacred art in their churches, schools, and homes for over twenty years.

Over the coming year we look forward to sharing these great stories and comments with you in our monthly newsletter and our catalog. Let’s begin with the winner of the large wrapped canvas Christmas icon, Mrs. Therese Rhein of Michigan, mother of ten, whose letter about her son Blaise literally took the prize:

“When our son was born, his godmother said she’d like to buy him a Monastery Icon each year for his birthday and special occasions. He loves them and requests them as gifts from us as well. He is now 12 years old and has a collection of 24 Monastery Icons! They are assembled over his bed in the shape of a San Damiano Cross! Really cool! Each time he adds a new one, he comes up with a new way to display the collection on the wall. She used to choose for him but now his collection is so large that she lets him pick one out himself from your catalog each year.

“We too started the tradition with our godchildren at their baptism, and add to their collection every year on their birthday. What a beautiful, lasting, and meaningful gift idea from godparents. My other children all wish their godparents has started the same tradition with them!

“There are so many ‘cheesy’ gifts for sale for the sacraments, and too many toys for birthdays. Your Monastery Icons are the PERFECT gift and become more and more meaningful as the child matures! Thank you for offering such a wonderful and cost-appropriate product!”

Thank you for sharing your Monastery Icons story, Mrs. Rhein. And our congratulations also to the runners-up, who all received gift icons from the Monastery Icons collection. Watch for more contests in 2012!