Rock 'n Roll Priest Plays in St. Petersburg

An Orthodox priest from Russia's Nizhniy Novgorod region, Fr. Nikolai Kokurin, has made an appearance at an anti-drug rock and roll concert in St. Petersburg to preach and play for the audience. Fr. Nikolai's songs have featured on another musician's album and have also released on his own album. More here.

Jobs: Winnipeg Cathedral Seeking Choir Director

Holy Protection Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is seeking a new choir director with a knowledge of both Ukrainian Orthodox and Ukrainian folk music. More here.

Video of the Day: Singing of the Paschal Stichera

An excerpt from the singing of the Paschal stichera from Paschal Matins this past weekend at a church in the Chicago Diocese of the American Orthodox Church (OCA).

Holy Friday

I know I wasn't going to post anything during Holy Week, but after singing the fifteenth antiphon during Holy Friday Matins earlier tonight I couldn't help but think of this rendition of the antiphon in a mixture of English, Greek, and Slavonic by Archbishop Job of blessed memory.

"Today He Who hung the earth upon the waters is hung on the Tree,
The King of the Angels is decked with a crown of thorns.
He Who wraps the heavens in clouds is wrapped in the purple of mockery.
He Who freed Adam in the Jordan is slapped on the face.
The Bridegroom of the Church is affixed to the Cross with nails.
The Son of the Virgin is pierced by a spear.
We worship Your Passion, O Christ!
Show us also Your glorious Resurrection!"

"St. Matthew Passion" Premiere Attended by 1,000

Over a thousand people attended the US premiere of the English-language version of Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk's St. Matthew Passion in New York. The work will be performed next week in Dallas, Texas. More here.

Session of the Georgian Orthodox Holy Synod

In addition to its decision regarding the Eparchy of Sukhumi, at its recent session of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church also resolved to provide financial assistance to priests serving rural areas and to discipline parishes not using traditional Georgian Orthodox music in the divine services. The former Metropolitan of Sukhumi, Daniel (Datuashvili), was also elected Metropolitan of Chiatura and Sachkhere, and Bishop Jacob (Iakobashvili) of Tsurtavi was elected Bishop of Gardabani and Martkopi. More here.