ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – On March 15, 2021, Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) dedicated a new icon in memory of Linda Lantz, the seminary’s administrative assistant who passed on to glory in November 2019.

Lantz served CLTS as an administrative assistant at the seminary for a decade. She is remembered by the school community as a deeply affectionate second mother to the students.

To memorialize Lantz’ service, the Concordia Seminary Students Association (CSSA) commissioned a hand-painted icon of St. Mary with the child Jesus in her arms. The icon was painted by Avery Prozenko, a brother of student Nigel, who specializes in religious art in a uniquely confessional Lutheran style. For more information on his artwork, visit www.righthandkingdom.weebly.com.

CSSA Linda Lantz Memorial Icon Dedication

On Monday, March 15, 2021, the Lantz family and Lutheran Church–Canada’s East Regional Pastor Marvin Bublitz joined the seminary community for Morning Prayer in the chapel, with the service led by CSSA President Jason Gillard. At the end of the service, CLTS President Thomas Winger blessed the new icon. He remarked how fitting it was to recall Lantz’ mothering of the students with an image of the Lord’s Mother. Additional members of the Lantz family were able to participate by watching the service and dedication of the icon online.

Following the service, the icon was hung in the student lounge, where it will serve as a daily reminder to students of their sainted matron.

From a CLTS release