The Eastern Diocese’s Sacred Music Council held its “Sacred Music Day”—an uplifting day-long celebration of Armenian Church music—on Saturday, November 16, at St. James of Nisibis Church in Evanston, IL.
The event featured instructional workshops, educational seminars, and a lecture-recital. Presenters and instructors included Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, Dn. Rubik Mailian, and Dn. Hovhannes Khosdeghian.
Among the formal presentations were “Sacred Chanting and Meditation,” by the Primate; “From Listener to Performer: How Active Music Listening Can Improve Your Singing Skills,” by Dn. Rubik Mailian; and a special lecture-recital by Dn. Hovhannes Khosdeghian, titled, “Psalmody and Cantilena in Armenian Sacred Music,” featuring vocal performances by Fr. Andreas Garabedian and Fr. Guregh Hambardzumyan.
In addition to the presentations and workshops, the day was an opportunity to honor Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian for his many years of service as the Diocesan Music Instructor.
“It was a profound honor to preside as Primate over our Diocese’s Sacred Music Day in Evanston,” said Bishop Mesrop. “I felt privileged to share the ancient Armenian tradition of singing as meditation, exploring how the melodies of our church draw us closer to God.”
The Primate went on: “It was an event dedicated to the heart and soul of our worship: the sharagans, our sacred chants, that have carried the prayers of our people for centuries. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Sacred Music Council, the amazing presenters, and every participant who made this day unforgettable.”
Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan, pastor of St. James and leader of the Sacred Music Council, organized the proceedings. Evanston parishioners eagerly welcomed the visiting clergy, deacons, choir members, and altar servers from sister communities for the occasion.
This year’s Sacred Music Day built on the success of the multi-day Sacred Music Festivals that the Diocese has sponsored in past years. “This year’s program was a new format: more of a sacred music retreat,” explained Fr. Khoja-Eynatyan. “It’s more adaptable to the local parish setting, and the Sacred Music Council plans to continue offering the program in the regions across our Diocese.”
Click the following links to:
- VIEW photos from the day.
- WATCH the recorded lecture-recital on “Psalmody in Armenian Sacred Music.