Icons in the Workplace

[Benjamin the Red]

So, I work a desk job. I've done this for awhile, at more than one office. It's quite bland. I have a cubicle, in a sea of cubicles, and many many people highly decorate our bland cubicle walls to make our personal space not so bland. I have done this in the past, but not really with icons. I began this some time ago by purchasing a small standing shrine of Christ from my parish bookstore. It's nice having it there, and I do occasional silent prayers (e.g., the prayer before commencing any task, found in many prayer books, is posted above my computer and I try to remember and pray it each morning).

I would like to include more icons in my workspace and create somewhat of a mini icon corner. Nothing elaborate, and only small laminated prints (which I will probably print off and laminate myself). I feel like it would bring a sacredness to my work that I think would be positive for me.

It may also end up being a conversation piece as people walk by and see it. Co-workers have on occasion noted the Christ icon, as well as my prayer rope and books I keep at my desk, which often involve something about Orthodoxy. I guess my point is that I don't evangelize, but I have no problems with displaying my faith in silent ways already.

Has anyone had any experience with incorporating such things at work? If yes, please share your experience (aesthetics, practical advise, how having icons at work affected you and co-workers, etc.)Whether you have or not, do you think it's a good idea? Why or why not?

[Shanghaiski]

I have a small diptych on my desk.

[bogdan]

I have an icon of the Theotokos and an icon of my patron saint in my cubicle at my office. I often have bits of spare time when my computer is crunching away, and having the icons there reminds me that I can say a prayer instead of staring at the spinning beachball or off into space. Same goes for when I get frustrated with something. When the icons aren't there, I don't think of that.

The icons have made for some nice conversations with co-workers, all of whom are Protestants. But most have said nothing. They irk the president, but I don't care A few people have gained an appreciation for icons because of it, and that's always nice.

Some places, such as government offices, might not allow religious items. But if your company does, I think it's a fine reminder that everything in life is spiritual, even menial office work.

[orthonorm]

I work in an "agile" environment. Although I snap up the same spot with decent sun exposure everyday. You basically have to set up your workspace everyday.

And at this point, I know I wouldn't feel comfortable making my "inquiry" so public in my concern that I might cast a negative light on the Church.

That being said, I've been approached by quite a few people asking about what has happened to me over the last year or so. I simply tell them. And they in interest go to at least a couple Great Vespers with me.

My Priest has remarked on the number of people who show up with me.

During one of the crummier nights of weather we had, the mid-week Vesper service consisted of my Priest, me and a handful of folks with me. It was interesting as the Priest spoke with everyone a little afterward and wrote a gentle admonition to the parish in his daily email about times when visitors and inquirers outnumber registered parishioners during Vesperal (is that a word and should it be capitalized?) services.
 

[LizaSymonenko]

I am not allowed to truly "personalize" my cubicle.  We have been informed to keep it to a minimum and NO live plants! 

I have the wall calendar I got at church.  It has icons on top and the calendar hangs below.

I also have a tiny triptych leaning against the wall...right next to the phone.  I find it actually helps me stay calm....even when things seem to be going "wrong", I look at the kind face of Christ depicted on the center icon, and it helps to remind me of what's truly important in life.

...and I have a plastic plant!   

[Schultz]

I have been blessed enough up to this point to be able to have the following set up in my office:



However, we're moving to a new building next month and I will be sharing a larger space with a co-worker.  While she has no problem with me setting up such a prayer corner in our shared space, unless we can create a modicum of "private space" using shelves, I probably won't be able to set something like this up.  I would just feel strange praying in front of someone while she works.  

I will definitely have the icons of Christ and St. Joseph (which I commissioned after I got this job thanks to his intercession in my procuring it!) somewhere in my part of the office though; they just might not be arranged like they are now.

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