www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology byzantine t-shirts

We apologize to anyone we may have offended in printing Icon images on tshirts. We also print Icon images on mousepads and totebags.

We sell them to our local Greek Orthodox Annunciation Cathedral in Houston, Texas, among other Orthodox outlets, with the express permission of the priests there.

We asked to see if anyone had a problem with such printing. The real concern locally was with the mousepads. The decision was based on the fact that often people will have mousepads printed with the images of loved ones. This printing, then, is not inherently a sign of disrepect; nay, rather, it is a sign of respect.

While anyone, ourselves included, may show disrespect through the printing (including the handling of damaged images), one can never prevent it a priori. This fact remains true with both traditional places for icons (ie: mounted on wood), as well as not traditional locations.

As far as our affiliation, we were unaware that the SSPX was "bi-ritual" and have no contact or affiliation of any kind with them, either in the traditional Latin form or as Transalpine Redemptorists, of whom we are not familiar. We have, indeed, sold a handful of items from the SSPX, or with writers associated with them, but they, typically came from collections of broad based religious material sold.

We generally will sell anything that is "orthodox" (including that which is "Orthodox"); what does not meet that standard we typically dispose of. We see no reason to extend the life of those items that might be heterodox.

If whatever we sell troubles anyone, please contact us, directly or through this forum, and share your concerns with us. We have not been granted infallibility in anything we do, and appreciate any comments someone might have.

I am indeed sorry for saying that you were affiliated with the SSPX (specifically the Transalpine Redemptorists).

Joe Zollars

Mr. Joe:

No apology necessary.

We have received an email from a customer expressing concern that we carry Monastery Icons materials.

While we have not yet been able to get independent confirmation of his concerns, we are concerned enough about this that we have not placed any new orders with them in three months.

If anyone on this forum is aware of concerns with Monastery Icons, we would appreciate the sharing of those concerns, either openly, or by emailing us privately, as they best see fit.

Incidentally, since when has the SSPX had a "bi-ritual" group associated with it? My parents attend a SSPX church (this might have been the connection to which you referred, although we are uncertain how that information might have been disseminated), and they are totally unaware of the Eastern Rites within the Catholic Church.

In fact, they believe that we have become Russian Orthodox, although we have told them many times that we have been with a priest, (bi-ritual, Benedictine and Melkite) who celebrates a Melkite Liturgy, for the past ten years.

Thank you for your responce.
I apologize for any way we ahve offended you.
All I buy my husband is witness t-shirts, and I have not had a good source for those with icons on them. They just open up so many doors of communication with people of all backgrounds. If I am going to spend money on a t-shirt I want to spend it on one that does something for God. I will be using your site.

Rose