« The Choir of the Dormition Cathedral in London was awarded a certificate of merit by the III Patriarchal International Festival of Sacred Music "Light of Christ" »

On December 2, 2024, the extensive competition program of the III Patriarchal International Festival of Sacred Music "Light of Christ" was completed. It has been held with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' since 2021.

The goal of the project is to promote musical and educational activities and the creative potential of choral groups performing Russian sacred music. Since its inception, the music forum has brought together more than 2,000 participants from 42 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, as well as other countries: Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Great Britain, Kazakhstan, France.

With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, the Choir of the Dormition Cathedral in London, under the direction of choirmaster D.E. Tugarinov, took part in the music forum.  The Cathedral Choir successfully passed the first round of the competition in the nomination "Large Mixed Choirs". At this stage, the jury evaluated recordings of divine services sent by more than 100 creative groups from different regions of Russia and foreign countries.

Historically, the composition of the London Cathedral Choir is very diverse. Here, united by church choral music, both experienced professionals of church singing and beginners who are just beginning to comprehend the basics of choir art participate in the service. Among the choir members there are professional musicians as well as people of different professions unrelated to Arts.

The service that the choir presented for the competition was recorded on April 21, 2024 - on the 5th Sunday of Great Lent, on the day of remembrance of the Venerable Mary of Egypt. The main hymns of the hierarchical Divine Liturgy were: Cherubic Hymn by S.Z. Trubacheva, "Mercy of the World" by Kyiv chant edited by M.M. Osorgin and "Your Soul Shall Rejoices" by E.S. Kustovsky.