Part of the beauty of the Orthodox Liturgy is attributed to its liturgical music. St. John the Divine has a long history rich in its choir participation. The St. John the Divine Choir ministry is a year round commitment and members participate along with the Priests during each Sunday Liturgy and special services during Lent and Advent.

For more than 40 years, the choir was led by Mrs. Frances (Pappas) Tsengas. Under her direction choir members worshiped using liturgical music written by various composers including Kypros, Bogdanos, and Maragos. Her leadership made the choir ministry more than just a part of the liturgy the choir members became their own family within the St. John the Divine church family.

That legacy continues today as the St. John the Divine choir has grown to more than forty choir members which includes many of our senior parishioners along with many youth members. The choir incorporates various composers during the liturgy each Sunday and has been given accolades by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios during the ordination services of our Rev. Dr. Nicholas Louh.

The choir members participate in weekly choir practices that typically take place Sunday immediately following Divine Liturgy. They also enjoy an annual retreat in the fall giving them an opportunity to learn new liturgical music and prepare for the Christmas season. Many of its members also participate in the annual Southeast Choir Federation Conferences each summer.

St. John the Divine parishioners will attest the church choir lifts the congregation to a higher spiritual level each Sunday during worship services. Their music is not only inspirational but truly a joyful noise lifted each Sunday to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

For more information or to inquire about joining the choir, please contact Maria Chrissovergis, Choir Director, at mariatsataros@yahoo.com  or our Pastoral Assistant Alyssa Kyritsis at 904-396-5383, ext. 12.

 

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