DIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND: 1 October, 2026
Metropolitan Nicholas sends greetings to the church choir conference of the Australian-New Zealand Diocese, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of AD Kastalsky's death

Editor's note: From September 30 to October 4, 2026, the regular Liturgical Music Conference of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand is taking place at the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Melbourne, Australia, dedicated to the centenary of the death of the composer AD Kastalsky. His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, sent greetings to His Eminence Archbishop George of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand, to the clergy, organizers, and participants of the congress, wishing them God's help in their work.

To His Eminence GEORGE
Archbishop of Sydney and Australia-New Zealand
Clergy and participants of the next church choir congress of the Australia-New Zealand Diocese

Your Eminence!
Beloved in the Lord Fathers, Brothers and Sisters!

I warmly welcome all of you gathered at the Liturgical Music Conference, and I prayerfully wish that the days of your joint work and fellowship proceed in the spirit of Christian love, unity, and diligent service to the Holy Church.

Church singing holds a special place in the life of the Orthodox Church. By combining the human voice with the prayer of the Church, it helps the faithful to perceive the worship more deeply and lift their hearts to God. "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord," Scripture tells us, and therefore church singing is not just art, but above all, a prayerful service.

It is especially important for us to carefully preserve the rich singing heritage of the Russian Orthodox Church and pass it on to future generations. In Australia and New Zealand, where our parishes are keepers of the Orthodox faith and Russian church tradition among those living far from their historical homeland, this work takes on special significance.

Now, as you gather together to share experiences and work together, I hope that this meeting will be not only practically useful but also serve to strengthen you spiritually. May the communication between choirmasters, singers, clergy, and everyone working in the choir contribute to the further development of church singing in the parishes of the Australian and New Zealand Diocese.

I sincerely wish all participants of the congress God's help, patience, and inspiration in the upcoming work. May the Lord grant that your singing always comes from the depths of a believing heart and, joining with the prayers of the whole church community, rises to the Lord "in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs."

Invoking God's blessing on all of you, I wish you fruitful work, blessed fellowship, and spiritual joy.

With love in the Lord and a request for your holy prayers,

+ NICHOLAS
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia