“I looked and before me was a multitude that could not be numbered, from every nation, from every language, tribe, and people….These are they who have come out of the great ordeal.” –Revelation 7:9, 14
Given in loving memory of Joseph Monti, by his wife, The Rev. Patricia Templeton
This icon by artist Kelly Latimore tells the story of the Covid pandemic that began in March 2020, and killed more than 1.2 million Americans. The outer boxes are scenes of life during the pandemic, from store shelves depleted of toilet paper, to bodies stacked up waiting for room in the morgue.
The inner squares are the faces of nine people who died from Covid, representing all those who lost their lives to the virus. From left to right they are:
- Mark Anthony Urquiza, 55, who died July 7, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ
- Katie Abel, 39, who died February 9, 2022 in Atlanta, GA
- Dr Li Wenliang, 33, who died February 7, 2020 in Wuhan, China
- Lawrence Riley, 66, who died March 19, 2020 in Milwaukee, WI
- Joseph Ernest Monti, 79, who died March 1, 2023 in Atlanta, GA
- Marie, 10, who died in October 2022, crossing the border from Guatemala
- Martha Cramer, 79, who died July 15, 2023 in Seattle, WA
- Skylar Herbert, 5, who died April 19, 2020 in Detroit, MI
- Fred Pruitt, 83, who died on October 10, 2020 in Atlanta, GA
The icon was presented and blessed by Bishop Rob Wright on March 16, 2025, the fifth anniversary of the last in-person service held at St. Dunstan’s. (In person worship did not resume until 13 months later, on Easter Sunday, 2021.) The congregation was invited to come forward and place gold leaf on the icon, symbolizing that we were all part of the great ordeal. of the Covid pandemic.
God, we remember before you all who died during the Covid pandemic, all who grieve for them, all who struggle with Long Covid, and all who still feel the effects of months of quarantine and isolation. Surround them with your healing and loving mercy, and wipe away every tear from their eyes. Amen
