I'M glad that Dennis Wombell enjoyed the exhibition of Romanian icons by Cristinel Covrig at York Minster. I would like to clarify some points raised in his letter (March 12).

The icons were on display in the Minster as an exhibition, not as a sale; and although Cristinel was willing to sell some items, he was primarily here as an artist showing his work.

Mr Wombell is right, the West End of the Minster can be rather dark sometimes. So we moved Cristinel's exhibition from the West End to the North Transept so he could have better light and more visitors noticed him there.

Mr Wombell mentions that we could have offered more "Christian hospitality" - in fact, two of the Minster congregation provided Cristinel and Father Ciprian with generous hospitality, providing lodgings, food and friendship while they were in York.

Cristinel and Father Ciprian enjoyed their visit to the Minster very much, and said they were overwhelmed by the number of visitors and the friendliness they encountered.

We at the Minster were delighted to host them and were privileged to display such wonderful art works.

Louise Hampson,

York Minster collections manager,

Church House,

Ogleforth, York.

Updated: 10:26 Monday, March 21, 2005