Saint Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral Commemorates Archbishop Dmitri with Premiere of New Divine Liturgy by Nicholas Reeves

DALLAS, TEXAS — Saint Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral in Dallas was filled to capacity on Friday, August 28, and Sunday, August 30, for the premiere of “The Divine Liturgy for Small and Large Choirs” by composer Nicholas Reeves.

A chamber male choir sang the liturgical responses during Friday’s service, while Sunday’s Hierarchical Divine Liturgy featured two choirs, with portions of the new work performed by ensembles ranging from a trio to a quartet and quintet. The Cathedral’s Director of music, Christopher Reeves, oversaw the long-term planning of the weekend which took nearly four years to realize. Presiding over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was His Grace Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth, Locum Tenens of the Diocese of the South.

The services commemorated the 15th anniversary of the falling asleep of His Eminence Archbishop Dmitri (Royster), whose life and ministry had a profound influence on the growth of Orthodox Christianity in the American South.

Following Friday’s service, a letter authored by the late Archbishop Dmitri was read to the congregation. In it, Archbishop Dmitri called upon Christians neither to fear technological advancement nor to harshly criticize…