EASTERN CANADIAN DIOCESE: April 2, 2008
Russian Orthodox Great Lenten Concert in Memory of  Metropolitan Laurus Held in Sherbrooke, Quebec

Annual Great Lenten concerts have traditionally been given in the cities of Quebec with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus of blessed memory, who had always devoted special care and attention to the Montreal and Canadian Diocese, and in particular, to St Nicholas Cathedral.

This year, the combined choir, consisting of singers from St Nicholas Cathedral, the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul (OCA) and other parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in Ottawa, gave a concert of Great Lenten music in Sherbrooke. It was held on Friday evening, the very day of the funeral and burial of our lord and father, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus, and was dedicated to his memory.

Despite the foul weather, the splendid Catholic Cathedral of Sherbrooke was filled beyond capacity: over 500 persons were in attendance.

At the opening of the concert, Subdeacon Peter Paganuzzi of St Nicholas Cathedral spoke a few words about the late Vladyka. In conclusion, he asked the audience to refrain from applause after Many Years was sung to the humble and merciful elder, called by the Lord on the day of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. This reminder was appropriate, since these popular Great Lenten concerts are attended by great numbers of lovers of Russian church music from the natives of Quebec Province.

The well-known Montreal choir director Michael Krieger-Voinovsky led the singers. He is also a founder and director of a men's choir comprised of singers from St Nicholas and SS Peter and Paul parishes in Montreal.

Montreal's traditional concerts are now in their sixth year. They are the fruit of the tireless labors of Maria Anatolievna Bandruk of St Nicholas Cathedral.