The Southwest Choral Symposium brings together singers from Arizona and the West Coast to learn from Russian Orthodox music experts, enriching and strengthening Russian Orthodox liturgical music traditions. With a special focus on small choirs singing in English, the symposium offers three days of singing, workshops, lectures, and services. Organized by the Tucson parish of the Kursk Root Icon and graciously hosted by Christ the Savior Orthodox Church in Youngtown, Arizona, the event will also celebrate the memory of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia.   What to expect Two full workshop days (February 6 & 7) following a travel and fellowship day on February 5. Keynote … [Read more...]

The celebration and participation at these memorial services is very much a part of the Orthodox spiritual tradition, and very valuable for spiritual formation. Praying for the departed is an important work of mercy in our spiritual tradition, and should not be forgotten, taken lightly, or ignored! What is a Panikhida? The Panikhida is a solemn memorial prayer service in the Orthodox Church for the repose of the souls of the departed. During the service, the faithful pray for God to forgive the sins of the deceased and grant them eternal rest in His heavenly kingdom. The word 'panikhida' is from Slavonic: панихида, panikhída, from Greek παννυχίς, pannychis, "vigil" (etymologically meaning … [Read more...]