A Sacred Musical Journey Awaits This Christmas Season
There's something profoundly moving about experiencing Christmas music by candlelight, surrounded by the warmth of community and the sacred atmosphere of an Armenian church. This December, Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church in Belmont is offering exactly that kind of transformative experience with their Christmas Candlelight Concert on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
The evening promises to be more than just a concert—it's an invitation to step away from the commercial rush of the holiday season and immerse yourself in the true spirit of Christmas through sacred music and fellowship.
Exceptional Artists Bringing Christmas to Life
The concert features a remarkable ensemble of musicians who bring both technical excellence and spiritual depth to their performance. Leading the musical journey is Haig Hovsepian on violin, whose Armenian heritage adds a particularly meaningful dimension to this Christmas celebration. Hovsepian has built a reputation for his expressive playing style and his ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level.
Joining him is Rev. Fr. Ghazar (Lazarus), who will serve as the evening's tenor vocalist. Having a priest as the featured vocalist adds a unique spiritual authenticity to the performance. Fr. Ghazar's dual role as both clergy and artist embodies the deep connection between faith and music that has always been central to Armenian cultural tradition.
The string quartet is completed by Michael Fisher on second violin, Yeh-Chun Lin on viola, and Austin Topper on cello. This combination of instruments creates the perfect foundation for both intimate sacred hymns and grand classical masterpieces.
The Magic of Candlelight and Sacred Space
Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church provides an ideal setting for this intimate musical experience. Located at 200 Lexington Street in Belmont, the church's architecture and sacred atmosphere naturally complement the candlelit ambiance of the evening. The interplay between flickering candlelight, the warm wood and stone of the church interior, and the resonant acoustics creates an environment where music becomes prayer and performance becomes worship.
The program will feature a carefully curated selection of sacred hymns, classical masterpieces, and timeless Christmas melodies. While the specific repertoire hasn't been detailed, audiences can expect to hear familiar carols reimagined through the lens of classical chamber music, alongside traditional Armenian sacred music that connects the evening to the rich liturgical heritage of the Armenian Church.
More Than Music: Community and Fellowship
What sets this event apart from a typical concert is its emphasis on community gathering. Following the musical program, attendees are invited to stay for a reception featuring light refreshments and fellowship. This continuation of the evening reflects the Armenian cultural tradition of hospitality and community bonding that extends far beyond the formal program.
The reception provides an opportunity to meet the performers, discuss the music with fellow attendees, and continue the spiritual and cultural connections fostered during the concert. It's these moments of informal gathering that often prove as meaningful as the formal performance itself.
Accessibility and Welcome
Tickets for the concert are priced at $25, making this high-quality musical experience accessible to a broad range of community members. The organizers have made purchasing convenient by offering both advance sales through QR code scanning and door sales on the evening of the event.
The church's message that "all are welcome" reflects the inclusive spirit of the Christmas season and the Armenian tradition of hospitality. Whether you're a regular member of the Armenian community, a classical music enthusiast, or simply someone seeking a meaningful way to celebrate the Christmas season, this concert offers something special.
The Deeper Meaning of Christmas Music
The concert's subtitle, "A Night of Heavenly Music," and the inclusion of the biblical quote "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests" signal that this event aims to capture the transcendent aspects of Christmas celebration. In our increasingly secular holiday culture, events like this provide a space for reflection on the spiritual dimensions of the season.
The combination of professional-level musicianship with sacred repertoire and liturgical setting creates an environment where audiences can experience Christmas music not just as entertainment, but as a form of prayer and meditation. The candlelight adds another layer of symbolism, evoking the light of Christ that Christmas celebrates and the warmth of community that sustains us through winter's darkness.
For members of the Armenian community, this concert also represents a connection to centuries of musical tradition. Armenian sacred music has a rich history that spans both Eastern and Western Christian traditions, and events like this help preserve and celebrate that heritage for new generations.
The December 7th date positions the concert perfectly within the Advent season, offering attendees a chance to prepare spiritually for Christmas through music and community gathering. As the holiday season often becomes overwhelming with commercial pressures and social obligations, this candlelight concert provides a sanctuary of peace and reflection.
Whether you attend for the exceptional musical performance, the spiritual experience, the community fellowship, or simply the beauty of Christmas music by candlelight, this concert promises to be a highlight of the holiday season. The combination of talented musicians, sacred repertoire, beautiful setting, and warm community welcome creates all the elements needed for a truly memorable evening.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 6:00 PM, and prepare to let your heart be filled with the peace, joy, and wonder of the Nativity season through the universal language of music.
