A delegate from the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese took part in the IV International Congress of Choir Directors and Singers of the Russian Orthodox Church.
From October 16 to 18, the IV International Congress of Choir Directors and Singers of the Russian Orthodox Church was held in Moscow, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’.
The forum was dedicated to the 170th anniversary of the birth and the 100th anniversary of the death of the prominent composer Alexander Dmitrievich Kastalsky.
The congress brought together over 900 delegates from 155 dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as from various countries near and far abroad.
With the blessing of Metropolitan Paul of Manila and Hanoi, the event was attended by Nun Olga (Buniel), the choir director at the parish of Blessed Matrona of Moscow in Davao City, the Philippines.
On October 16, the forum opened in the Church Councils Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, where a welcoming address from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill was read. Metropolitan Ambrose of Tver and Kashin, Chairman of the Church-Public Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ for the Development of Russian Church Singing, addressed the delegates.
This was followed by a two-day plenary session featuring thematic presentations and masterclasses.
On October 18, the congress concluded with a Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, during which two choirs composed of congress participants sang.
A special highlight of the Liturgy was the performance of liturgical chants by A. D. Kastalsky. …by Kastalsky, composed over a hundred years ago for the enthronement of St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. All the liturgical chants performed during the service were the work of this distinguished composer.
Based on material from the Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’
