Assistant Bishop Damaschin of Dorna officiated Vespers on Monday at the Church of the Presentation of the Lord (“Vovidenia”) in Botoșani, where he reflected on the role of church music. The liturgical service formed part of the programme of the Iași International Byzantine Music Festival.
The bishop highlighted the authentic meaning of church music and its place within the liturgical life of the Church.
“It is not intended merely to be listened to at a concert, on a playlist, or while driving. Church music can indeed help and bring peace in those situations, but its true purpose is to be sung, performed and heard here, in the church.”
He stressed that the beauty of sacred chant depends not only on talent but also on the dedication of those who serve through it:
“When love for something fills a person’s heart, it moves them to give everything they can—their strength, their knowledge, their energy and their time.”
Addressing those who had sung at the chanter’s stand, the assistant bishop of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți explained that this ministry is both a calling and a sacred service:
“Be conscious that whenever you stand at the chanter’s stand, you are together with the angels who continually sing praises to God.”
Seeking the Intercession of St Blandina
Bishop Damaschin also encouraged the faithful to seek the help and intercession of St Blandina of Iași, who was recently canonised by the Romanian Orthodox Church.
“Whenever you come to Iași, do not forget to enter the cathedral for St Paraskeva, of course, because she is our Mother and the Protectress of Moldavia, but also because, for a little over a week now, the relics of Mother Blandina have been in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași.”
“May she bring comfort to your souls, peace and serenity; may she strengthen you in times of trouble. And never forget that God never abandons those who place themselves under His protection.”
This year’s edition of the Iași International Byzantine Music Festival is dedicated to the Mother of God and to holy women, in the context of 2026 having been proclaimed by the Romanian Patriarchate as the Solemn Year of the Pastoral Care of the Christian Family and the Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the Church Calendar.
Photo: Doxologia / Cezar Aniței
