Ministry of Song
The Church Choir
"Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and organs."
— Psalm 150
Our Calling
The Voice of the Parish
The choir of Descent of the Holy Ghost has been the voice of the parish since its founding in 1908. Romanian immigrants who came to Northwest Indiana brought with them not only their faith, but their music — the ancient Byzantine chant and the beloved Romanian liturgical tradition that has been sung in these lands for over a thousand years.
Today the choir sings the Divine Liturgy every Sunday in both English and Romanian, maintaining that living thread between the old world and the new, between the ancient Church and the present community.
The choir sings from the kliros — the traditional chanting stand to the right of the iconostasis — fulfilling the ancient role of the faithful who respond to the priest and lead the congregation in prayer through song.
Liturgical Languages
"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." — Psalm 150:6
The Choir Loft
Singing Before the Lord
The choir sings from the kliros at every Divine Liturgy, Great Feast, Holy Week service, and memorial panakhida — the full liturgical cycle of the Orthodox Church year.
Descent of the Holy Ghost Choir
How We Serve
Roles in the Choir Ministry
The choir ministry encompasses many forms of service — from leading the chant to supporting the congregation in the Divine Liturgy.
Cantors & Chanters
Lead the congregation in the ancient Byzantine and Romanian chant traditions, chanting the responses and troparia of the Divine Liturgy.
Choir Members
Sing the full liturgical cycle — from Sunday Divine Liturgy to Great Feasts, Holy Week, and memorial services — in English and Romanian.
Music Director — Cornelia Merchant
Cornelia Merchant guides the choir in Orthodox liturgical music, maintaining the sacred tradition of Byzantine and Romanian chant passed down through generations.
Volunteers Welcome
Whether you read music or sing by ear, whether you know Orthodox chant or are learning — there is a place for you in the choir loft.
Sacred Music
Our Liturgical Repertoire
The choir sings the full cycle of Orthodox liturgical music — the Divine Liturgy, the Great Feasts, Holy Week, and the beloved Romanian chant tradition.
Divine Liturgy
- Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
- Cherubic Hymn
- Axion Estin (It Is Truly Meet)
- Our Father (Tatăl Nostru)
- Responses and Litanies
Great Feasts
- Paschal Canon & Paschal Troparion
- Christmas Troparion (Nașterea Ta)
- Theophany Troparion
- Pentecost Troparion
- Transfiguration Troparion
Romanian Tradition
- Romanian Christmas Carols (Colinde)
- Romanian Paschal Hymns
- Traditional Romanian Liturgical Chant
- Prochimenon & Alleluia Verses
- Memorial Service (Parastas) Hymns
Holy Week
- Bridegroom Troparion
- Lamentations (Prohodul)
- Holy Friday Antiphons
- Exaposteilarion of Holy Saturday
- Paschal Midnight Office
When We Sing
Choir Schedule
Every Sunday
Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM — the choir sings the full Liturgy in English and Romanian.
Great Feasts
All Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox calendar, including Pascha, Christmas, Theophany, and Pentecost.
Holy Week
All Holy Week services — Bridegroom Services, Holy Friday Lamentations, and the Paschal Midnight Office.
Memorial Services
Panakhida (memorial services) for the departed faithful, including the Saturday of the Souls.
A Beloved Tradition
Annual Christmas Caroling
Each year the choir visits parishioners in their homes, bringing the joy of the Nativity through song — colinde, Romanian Christmas carols, and Orthodox hymns of the season.
Annual Christmas Caroling
Descent of the Holy Ghost Choir · Merrillville, IN
Join the Choir
The choir of Descent of the Holy Ghost welcomes new voices. Whether you are an experienced singer or simply love to glorify God through song, we invite you to come and sing with us.
Please speak with Fr. Daniel after Divine Liturgy, or contact the parish office to learn more about joining the choir ministry.