St. Vladimir’s Seminary Hosts Colloquium on Oriental Orthodox Liturgical Music

YONKERS, NY — St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary hosted a two-day colloquium on Oriental Orthodox liturgical music, bringing together clergy, scholars, and musicians to examine the musical traditions of several ancient Christian churches.

The Colloquium on Oriental Orthodox Liturgical Music in Theological Education took place Oct. 29-30 and included presentations, panel discussions, and performances focused on the role of sacred music in worship and theological education.

Bp. Daniel Findikyan, an alumnus of St. Vladimir’s and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, delivered the keynote address, titled “With One Voice: Sacred Chant, Liturgical Function, and Orthodox Theology.”

He said the gathering offered an opportunity for Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Christians to recognize a shared theological vision expressed through distinct liturgical traditions.

“Our deliberation of liturgical music today and tomorrow is invaluable on many counts,” Bp. Daniel said. He described the churches as “a family of churches with a diversity of liturgical rites and an even greater diversity of sacred music traditions.”

The colloquium examined Armenian, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Coptic and Syriac liturgical music, including traditions from the Middle East and India. Participants also discussed how sacred music is taught and incorporated into theological education.

The event was organized by the seminary’s Institute of Sacred Arts as part of a series examining similarities and differences between Eastern and Oriental Orthodox approaches to liturgical singing. Previous programs focused on Eastern Orthodox chant, Syriac and Armenian music, and Coptic liturgical music.

A recording of the keynote address and musical performance is available on the seminary’s YouTube channel.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the “Making Melodists” workshop brought together Orthodox choir directors.