On Wednesday, April 5, 2023, the Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in the Metropolis of Boston hosted a Lenten Archon Retreat at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Weston, Massachusetts featuring Dr. Alexander Lingas, Archon Mousikodidaskalos, music director and founder of the world-renowned music ensemble Cappella Romana: “Recovering the Lost Voices of Hagia Sophia: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross.” The event was well-attended, with a large number of Archons of the Boston Metropolis in attendance, and a record turnout of nearly 100 people were present in all. They attended the Presanctified Liturgy before Dr. Lingas’ lecture.

Dr. Lingas provided a fascinating history of the music of the Byzantine era, using audio examples of how today’s modern technology has allowed for the recreation of how chanting actually sounded in Hagia Sophia. Those in attendance felt as though they were being transported somewhere between Heaven and earth by the experience. Archon Lingas also serves as a Professor of Music at City, University of London, and a Research Fellow of the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies in Cambridge, UK.

The event was organized and planned by the Metropolis of Boston Regional Commanders Emeriti, Archons Dr. Aristotle Papanikolaou and Drake Behrakis, along with the newly appointed Regional Commanders for the Metropolis, Archbons Costa Sideridis and James Speros.

Archon Speros noted that “Dr. Alex Lingas was superb and we had an excellent turnout from our Boston Archons.” Among those in attendance were George Behrakis, Archon Depoutatis, and his lovely wife Margo; Archon Behrakis served on the Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and has also served as vice chairman of Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology in Boston.