Noted musician Kenneth J. Kovach awarded Order of St. Romanos
CLEVELAND, OH [MW Diocese Communications] — Kenneth J. Kovach, Choir Master at Saint Theodosius Cathedral, Cleveland, OH for nearly five decades, was awarded the Order of Saint Romanos on Sunday, September 2, 2018. Presenting the award was His Grace, Bishop Paul of Chicago and the Midwest, who celebrated the day’s Divine Liturgy with Archpriest John Zdinak, Dean, and the cathedral’s clergy.
Established by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America in 2014 under the patronage of Saint Romanos the Melodist, the Order is awarded to influential arrangers, composers, teachers, and conductors. Past recipients include Archimandrite Roman [Braga], Archpriest Sergei Glagolev, Archpriest Igor Soroka, Prof. Dr. David Drillock, Dr. Vladimir Morosan, Archpriest Martin Nicolai, Aleksei V. Shipovalnikov, Walter Shymansky, John Sutko and Carol Wetmore.
“This is a highly prestigious award bestowed by the Holy Synod of Bishops each year,” said Father John. “The Order is given to those who have made outstanding contributions to the field of liturgical music in the Orthodox Church in America and beyond.”
Prior to assuming duties as the cathedral’s Choir Master, Kenneth served as Choir Director at Saint John the Baptist Church, Warren, OH. He has been recognized widely as an “exemplary Ambassador” for the Orthodox Church in America and Orthodox Christianity in general. He is especially well known for increasing public awareness of Orthodox Christianity through scores of public liturgical music concerts and presentations and a wide range of civic and cultural activities. A graduate of Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, South Canaan, PA; Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Yonkers, NY; Saint Sergius Theological Academy, Paris, France; and the Ecumenical Institute in Geneva, Switzerland, he also holds a Masters degree in Sociology from Case Western Reserve University and completed course work for a Doctoral degree in Sociology.
Kenneth was further honored at a post-Liturgy reception at the Copper Stone Event Center.
