Alexander Lingas Receives New Title

Cappella Romana artistic director Alexander Lingas has received the title of Archon Mousikodidaskalos (Music Teacher) of the Great Church of Christ on behalf of His All-Holiness, Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch.

Dr. Lingas said “I am humbled to receive this title from His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. I am also deeply grateful to His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios for his thoughtfulness and kind support of my scholarly, professional and pastoral musical work in the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain.”

The title of Mousikodidaskalos was created in modern times primarily to honour individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the teaching and academic study of Byzantine chant. In ancient times, such titles were bestowed by the Emperor of the Byzantine Empire to officials of the imperial court.

This is Dr. Lingas’s second major award for musical service to the Orthodox Church. In 2010, the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese awarded him the St Romanos the Melodist Medallion

Dr. Lingas was awarded his new title at a service officiated by Archbishop Gregorios Theocharous, the leader of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain. It took place at the chapel of the Archdiocese, at Thyateira House in London.

(Announcement adapted from the City, University of London Press Release)