Sunday, 27 October 2013, “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna hosted the national stage of the “Praise the Lord” Contest of Religious Music, at its 6th edition. This year, the contest addressed the mix parochial choruses of the country. The national stage held in the presence of the Patriarch of Romania and of the Metropolitan of Corinth convened six choruses representing the six Metropolitanates of the Patriarchate. After deliberation, the jury decided that prize I be awarded to “Accoustic” Chorus of “Saint Nicholas of One Day” church, conducted by Dr. Daniel Jinga. The chorus represented the Metropolitanate of Muntenia and Dobrudgea.
Prize II was awarded to “Altheia” Chorus of Barboi church of Iasi which represented the Metropolitanate of Moldova and Bucovina conducted by Mrs Univ Lecturer Dr Dorina Iusca.
Prize III was awarded to “Il Gardellino” Chorus of the Orthodox parish of the “Ascension of the Lord” of Cluj-Napoca which represented the Metropolitanate of Cluj, Maramures and Salaj, conducted by lecturer dr Liliana Cadar-Manoleasa.
Mention I was awarded to the chorus of Hagi Enusi parish of Craiova conducted by deacon prof dr Alexandru Racu. The chorus represented the Metropolitanate of Oltenia.
Mention II was awarded to the “Doina Banatului” mix chorus of the Romanian Orthodox parish of Timisoara – Iosefin, conducted by prof Florin-Nicolae Sincari. The chorus was the representative of the Metropolitanate of Banat.
Mention III was awarded to the chorus of the “Church with Moon of Oradea”, conducted by lecturer dr Valentin Gheorghe Lazar. The chorus represented the Metropolitanate of Transylvania at this stage of the contest.
The jury has also awarded a special prize to the most talented conductor, to deacon prof dr Alexandru Racu.
Tonight too, the first four competitors of composition section were also awarded prizes of the contest.
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel congratulated all the participants and delivered an appreciative speech entitled Communion and Spirituality in the Byzantine Music.
During the jury’s deliberation, the Men’s Chamber Chorus of “Blagozonnita” of the Stavropighia Monastery of Zaikonospaski of Moscow, Russia, performed a concert.
