Religion

Last Updated on Saturday, 01 July 2017 04:12

St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church of Monessen, PA will host the 70th Annual Convention of the Mid-Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians on Thursday through Sunday, July 20 - 23, 2017.

The Mid-Eastern Federation, known by the acronym "MEFGOX," is composed of Greek Orthodox church musicians from throughout the Metropolis (Diocese) of Pittsburgh and the Metropolis (Diocese) of Detroit.

The purpose of the Federation is to help parishes develop their church music programs by presenting training programs, providing resources, offering assistance, and awarding scholarships.

All of this year's Federation convention events will be held at St. Spyridon Church and at St. Spyridon's Hellenic Center. In addition to business meetings, the convention will feature music workshops, rehearsals, panel discussions, and social events.

The convention will include a Grand Banquet to be held on Saturday evening, July 22, during which scholarships will be awarded to both young people and to adults who are active Orthodox church musicians and who want to study music or take classes to improve their directing, chanting, or vocal skills.

The convention will culminate with the celebration of a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. Spyridon Church on Sunday morning, July 23, beginning at 9:30 a.m. His Eminence, Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh will preside at the Liturgy, with the hymns and responses sung by a combined Federation Choir composed of choir members representing Orthodox parishes throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, and Western New York State.

Nicholas Bodle will be guest accompanist. The music selected for the Monessen Convention has been composed by Constantine (Dean) Limberakis, of Boston, Massachusetts. T

The convention - and in particular the workshops, rehearsals, and participation in the combined Federation Choir for the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning of the convention - is open to all interested Orthodox church musicians, regardless of ethnic affiliation. For further details, contact Deacon Bill Leogas, by leaving a message on the St. Spyridon Church office phone at 724-684-5411, or email Deacon Bill at stspyridonoffice@comcast.net.