NEW YORK: November 10, 2009
The Synodal Choir Director Receives a Gramata From the President of the Synod of Bishops

During all-night vigil on Saturday, November 7, 2009, and Liturgy on Sunday at the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign, at which His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion officiated, Peter Fekula led the Synodal Choir in singing the compositions of Pavel Chesnokov, who died 65 years ago. After Liturgy, Mr Fekula received a gramata (decree of blessing) from the President of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia:

"To Peter Alekseevich Fekula:

In recognition of your very earnest and many years of labors in the area of Liturgical singing, and in connection with the 65th anniversary of the death of Pavel Grigorievich Chesnokov, we express to you our Primatial gratitude and call upon you God's blessing. This Gramata of blessing is given to you on this day, duly signed and bearing the seal and confirmed on Novmeber 8, 2009.

+ Hilarion,
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad."

This is not the first series of divine services dedicated to the memory of one of the composers at the Synod of Bishops. In 2006, for example, by the initiative of Peter Fekula, the 150th anniversary of the birth and 80th anniversary of the death of Alexander Kastalsky was marked at the Synod of Bishops. It is noteworthy that the unified choir of the Russian Church Abroad participated in the celebrations of the signing of the Act of Canonical Communion in Moscow. At these services, the choir of the Church Abroad sang the works of composers who worked in the Fatherland as well as those who continued their work within the bosom of the Russian Church Outside of Russia.

The Editors wish Peter Alekseevich success in his musical efforts to the glory of God and the good of the Russian Orthodox Church!