The Sacred Music Council is pleased to announce this year’s Sacred Music Festival, hosted by St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church in Cleveland, Ohio, from Friday through Sunday, October 16–18.

This year’s festival celebrates the life, faith, and sacred music of St. Nersess Shnorhali, whose hymns and prayers continue to enrich the spiritual life of the Armenian Church.

The festival is open to choir members, altar servers, clergy, scholars, and anyone who loves Armenian sacred music. It will be a special opportunity to sing together, learn, worship, and enjoy fellowship with others who share a love for our Armenian sacred musical tradition.

The festival will open on Friday evening with a special lecture-recital, “A Harmony of Traditions: Greek and Syriac Influences in Nersess Shnorhali’s Sharagans,” presented by Dn. Hovhannes Khostegian, with the participation of Dn. Sargis Ginosyan. The presentation will explore the musical connections between the Greek and Syriac traditions and the sharagans of Nersess Shnorhali.

On Saturday, participants will spend the day learning and singing together through a series of workshops led by Dn. Rubik Mailian and Dn. Ari Terjanian, featuring the sacred music of Nersess Shnorhali and Gomidas. Dn. Rubik Mailian will also offer two presentations addressing the practical and musical aspects of singing: “Aging Voice: Signs of an Aging Voice and Exercises” and “How Active Music Listening Can Improve Your Singing Skills.” The day will also include a special presentation by our Primate, Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, entitled “Shnorhali: Singer of Light,” exploring the spiritual legacy of this great Armenian saint, poet, and hymnographer.

The festival will culminate in an unforgettable celebration of the Holy  Badarak on Sunday, October 18. This special Badarak will be celebrated by Bishop Mesrob Parsamyan, offering a unique and spiritually uplifting experience for all attendees.

We warmly invite you to join us in Cleveland for this special weekend of music, learning, worship, and fellowship as we celebrate the enduring light of Nersess Shnorhali.

Registration information and the registration form are attached (click here.)

We look forward to gathering together and raising our voices in praise.

In harmony and service,
The Sacred Music Council

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