ROCOR Celebrates First Feast of the Uncovering of the Relics of St. John

JACKSON, NJ — On the weekend of Oct. 11–12, 2025, the 32nd Russian Orthodox Church Musicians’ Conference (ROCM) culminated in a spiritually profound celebration at St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, N.J., with an All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy commemorating the uncovering of the relics of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco.

According to a release from the Eastern American Diocese, His Eminence Met. Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad (ROCOR), led the services, joined by clergy from across the U.S., Europe, and beyond. The services were held in the presence of the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, Protectress of the Russian Diaspora.

A highlight of this year’s conference was the debut of new liturgical hymns composed specifically for the occasion, crafted under the direction of Fr. Andre Papkov and other members of the ROCM commission, with the blessing of Met. Nicholas. The service marked 32 years since the miraculous uncovering of St. John's incorrupt relics in 1993 — an event that profoundly shaped the spiritual lives of many participants and musicians.

The ROCM conference, which began in the 1980s, aims to preserve and elevate the tradition of sacred music in ROCOR. Participants this year hailed from the United States, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and Kazakhstan — with nearly half under the age of 30, a sign of the conference’s enduring impact on younger generations.

In addition to rehearsals and services, attendees took part in lectures, workshops, and roundtables exploring Orthodox liturgical music history and technique. Topics ranged from 19th-century composer Bortniansky to émigré music traditions and the challenges of youth engagement in church choirs.

Conference organizer Elizabeth Ledkovsky noted the significance of seeing a new generation of singers so deeply engaged: “This is such a huge accomplishment, and just what we who got involved with these conferences 30 years ago were hoping for – to attract the youth and improve the quality of singing. That dream has become a reality, and we can all be proud of that."

As the Synodal Music Commission now seeks to publish the newly composed service to St. John for wider liturgical use, ROCM stands as a powerful testament to the union of tradition, creativity, and faith within the life of the Church.

Previously, UOJ reported that Met. Nicholas presided over the Divine Liturgy for the patronal feast of St. Sergius Church.