The Choir of the Iveron-Seraphim Monastery became a First-Degree Laureate of the Patriarchal International Festival of Sacred Music "Light of Christ."

In 2024, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the III Patriarchal International Festival of Sacred Music "Light of Christ" was held within the Russian Orthodox Church. A total of 99 choir ensembles from 57 dioceses across 5 countries submitted applications for the competition. In the second, final stage of the festival, 46 ensembles were selected, 22 of which became Laureates and 16 received diplomas.

The festival is supported by the Church-Public Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia for the Development of Church Singing, the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives, and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.

As noted by the festival's organizers, among whom is the Honored Artist of Russia Oleg Nikolaevich Ovchinnikov, Secretary of the Metropolitan District of Kazakhstan and conductor of the Metropolitan Choir, sacred music, singing, and high creativity are called to bring the people of God into the Church, assist in prayers, and help them absorb the centuries-old tradition of the Holy Church, which bears the Divine testimony of Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save all people and reveal the Light of Truth.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, two ensembles from the city of Almaty participated in the competition: the choir ensemble of the Iveron-Seraphim Women's Monastery and the male choir of the Ascension Cathedral. As a result of the competition, the choir ensemble of the monastery was awarded the title of First-Degree Laureate in the "Female Ensemble" category, while the Ascension Cathedral choir was honored with the title of Diploma Winner.

The choir of the Iveron-Seraphim Monastery will participate in the patriarchal liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, as well as in the gala concert, where the formal award ceremony will take place.

The choir ensemble of the Iveron-Seraphim Monastery was established in 2005. At that time, the ensemble consisted of 4 members. During this period, the choir was led by O.G. Shulzhenko, who served as its conductor from 2005 to 2021. Gradually, the choir grew with the addition of new singers who had specialized musical education. Throughout its existence, the ensemble showed steady growth and actively participated in several national and international choral competitions, including events such as "Northern Belcanto" (St. Petersburg, 2019) and "Sea Fantasies" (Kerch, 2021).

Since 2021, the ensemble at the Iveron-Seraphim Women's Monastery has been expanded and renewed. The new conductor, O.B. Usoltseva, who had already been a part of the ensemble and actively participated in the singing since its inception, took over. Currently, it is a permanent and sole ensemble performing musical compositions during church services. In addition, the ensemble participates in Christmas and Easter concerts, as well as various festivals.