A representative of the Sourozh Diocese participated in the IV International Congress of Choir Directors and Singers of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow »
20-10-2026 
From October 16 to 18, 2026, the IV International Congress of Choir Directors and Singers of the Russian Orthodox Church was held in Moscow. With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, the Sourozh Diocese was represented by Dmitry Evgenievich Tugarinov, choir director of the Dormition Cathedral in London.
The forum was held with the support of the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives as part of the "Light of Christ" festival and the "Alexander Kastalsky and His Legacy" project (marking the 170th anniversary of his birth).
A total of 900 delegates from 155 dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church from Russia, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, United Kingdom, Philippines, and Belgium, submitted applications to participate in the congress.
His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, Olga Lyubimova, and Metropolitan Amvrosy of Tver and Kashin, Chairman of the Church and Public Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' for the Development of Russian Church Singing, addressed the participants with welcoming words.
The congress program included plenary sessions dedicated to the life and work of Alexander Dmitrievich Kastalsky, one of the greatest Russian church composers, whose legacy has become an important part of the history of Russian liturgical singing. The congress featured presentations on his work, his spiritual musical legacy, contemporary interpretations of his works, and his influence on the development of church singing in Russia and abroad.
Speakers included specialists in musicology, church singing, and music history, as well as representatives of the clergy and church-public organizations. Participants discussed Kastalsky's significance for Russian sacred music, the tradition and innovation in his works, and the preservation and study of his musical legacy.
Specially for the congress, anniversary editions were published: the book "Alexander Kastalsky: Ideas, Creativity, Destiny" by S.G. Zvereva and the sheet music collection "All-Night Vigil."
As part of the congress, a jubilee concert was held dedicated to the 170th anniversary of A.D. Kastalsky's birth and the 100th anniversary of his death. The program included the cantata "Brotherly Commemoration" (conducted by Varvara Volkova).
The congress concluded with a solemn Patriarchal service in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
Liturgical hymns were performed by two choirs formed from delegates of the IV International Congress of Choir Directors and Singers of the Russian Orthodox Church, dedicated to the memory of A.D. Kastalsky. The choirs were led by:
- A.A. Puzakov, Deputy Chairman of the Church and Public Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' for the Development of Russian Church Singing, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Moscow Synodal Choir, Honoured Artist of Russia;
- O.N. Ovchinnikov, Secretary of the Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, Honored Artist of Kazakhstan, Choir Director of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, and member of the Church and Public Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' for the Development of Russian Church Singing;
- V.A. Volkova, choirmaster of the Artos Choir at the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Solntsevo, Moscow, and executive secretary of the Church and Public Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' for the Development of Russian Church Singing;
- G.L. Safonov, artistic director and chief choirmaster of the festive choir of the Danilov Stavropegic Monastery in Moscow, member of the Church and Public Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' for the Development of Russian Church Singing;
- A.K. Mayorov, choirmaster of the Epiphany Cathedral and the Patriarchal Metochion in Yelokhovo, Moscow, member of the Church and Public Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' for the Development of Russian Church Singing.
At the beginning of the Liturgy, during the vesting of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, hymns from the cycle "From the Patriarchal and Bishop's Vestments," written by A.D. Kastalsky in 1918 at the request of His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon, were sung. All hymns sung during the Liturgy were composed by Alexander Kastalsky.
At the end of the divine service, Metropolitan Ambrose of Tver and Kashin greeted the Primate of the Russian Orthodox church on behalf of the participants of the IV International Congress of Choir Directors and Singers of the Russian Orthodox Church.
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill addressed the faithful with a Primate's sermon, after which he addressed the participants of the service: "Once again, my dear bishops, fathers, brothers and sisters, our wonderful choir directors, musicians, and singers, I heartily congratulate you on this day! I rejoice that in the restored Cathedral of Christ the Savior we all meet together, pray, and bear witness to the power of God, which surpasses all human strength. Amen."
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