2026 Winter Sacred Music Institute

Make your plans to join us in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona February 5 – 8, 2026. Moderate temperatures during the dead of winter, when most of North America is enduring frigid temps, this desert oasis awaits us! Palm trees, beautiful terrain & likely no ice and snow are good reasons to travel, but even more appealing is the joy of voices joined in praise, learning together and the fellowship in the Lord that naturally follows.

Our theme is “Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday: Hosanna in the Highest; Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.” Arizona is the perfect backdrop to “lay down palm branches”, and welcome the joyful oasis of beautiful hymns given to us by the Church as we have completed our 40-day journey through the struggles of Great Lent and are about to enter into the watchful anticipation of Holy Week. On Lazarus Saturday, Christ is glorified by revealing the resurrection of His friend, Lazarus, confirming the universal resurrection of mankind before His own suffering. Palm Sunday, also called the Triumphal Entry, celebrates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey in the days before the Jewish Passover. A mere few days before His crucifixion, Jesus was received by thousands gathered in the nearby village of Bethany. We celebrate this day with joy, but also with the realization of what is to come.

The weekend schedule will be filled with sessions and song surrounding these vital days in Christ's journey to the Cross. Keynote Speaker, Bp. ANTHONY, focused on the theme, will delight. Sessions taught by several of the Archdiocese finest church musicians, both Byzantine Chant and Choral music, Divine Services, fun and fellowship will fill your soul.

New this year: All materials will be available in PDF format for use on your smart device (tablet or smart phone). Printed copies are available by request by pre-order only (BEFORE SUNDAY, JANUARY 18) for an additional $25 per copy.

The weekend will also feature a concert of the Antiochian Archdiocese Auditioned Choir, who will present both Byzantine and Choral selections. The concert will be open to the public and we encourage everyone to invite friends and family to be part of this important presentation of our Orthodox faith through the hymnography of the Church.

Courtyard by Marriott Phoenix North

Rooms: 1 King or 2 Queens $145 per night

**Last Day to Book : Monday, January 05, 2026**

https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1758051565846&key=GRP&app=resvlink

9631 North Black Canyon Highway Phoenix, Arizona, USA, 85021

Phone: 1-800-321-2211 Group Name: Legacy Ballroom

Courtyard Phoenix North provides easy access to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, just 13 miles from our hotel, as well as local attractions like Castles and Coasters, Metrocenter mall, Rose Mofford Sports Complex and nearby AZ golf courses.

The Bistro offers breakfast, dinner and cocktails.

Rooms available with 2 double beds or with a King / sofa bed.

Outdoor swimming pool and fitness center are available to wash away your mid-winter blues.

Plenty of beautiful space for relaxing after a long day of singing, both indoor and outdoor.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 4530 East Gold Dust Avenue, Phoenix, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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