Private Instruction
Adult Studies
Rev. Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan was ordained to the holy priesthood in July 2010 by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, at St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C. Fr. Khoja-Eynatyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia, where he pursued a career in music. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in music from the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan, and the Maimonides State Conservatory of Moscow, Russia. Fr. Hovhan has been a member of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pekarsky Percussion Ensemble, and the Moscow Modern Music Ensemle, and has taught at the Yerevan conservatory and the Spendiarov School of Music. Growing up in Soviet Armenia, the young Leon Khoja-Eynatyan had few opportunities to learn about Armenian Christianity. He was first introduced to the Bible by his grandparents, but it wasn't until decades later, when he relocated to the United States, that he would really become active in parish life. In 1999, he moved with his family to the United States, and settled in Washington, D.C., where he began attending St. Mary Church. He served for many years as an organist and conductor at the church, and in 2000 he founded the church's well-known Narek Bell Choir. He also served on the Diocese's Sacred Music Council, and for four years led its Boyajian Choir Leadership Development Program for young choir members. At the encouragement of Archbishop Barsamian, he began taking courses at Catholic University of America in Washington, and in 2008 he enrolled at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle, NY. He was ordained to the diaconate in August 2008, and graduated from St. Nersess Seminary in May 2010.
Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Music from the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan, and the Maimonides State Conservatory, located in Moscow, Russia. He also graduated with honors from the Komitas National Conservatory.
Awards and achievements:
Many of Mr. Khoja-Eynatyan's accomplishments are reflected in his involvement with various organizations and ensembles over the years. He has been a member of the American Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pekarsky Percussion Ensemble, and the Moscow Modern Music Ensemble. In addition, he has taught at the Yerevan Conservatory and the Spendiarov School of Music.
Interests outside of music:
Outside of the music world, Mr. Khoja-Eynatyan is also a Reverend. He began taking courses at Catholic University of American in Washington, and in 2008 enrolled at St. Neress Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle, New York. He was ordained to the diaconate in August 2008, and graduated from St. Neress Seminary in May of 2010.
Professional affiliations & activities:
Leon has also had a close relationship with the church over the years, as he served for many years as an organist and conductor at St. Mary's Church, and in 2000, founded the church's well-known Narek Bell Choir. He also served on the Diocese's Sacred Music Council, and for four years, led its Boyajian Choir Leadership Development Program for young choir members.
Served as the Chair of the Percussion Department at the Levine School of Music, was a member of ko’mm percussion and “Sacumba” World Percussion quartet.
Founding member of YERPER (Yerevan Percussion Ensemble).
Played with the Pekarsky Percussion Ensemble and Moscow Contemporary Ensemble.
Performed in the U.S., France, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Swiss, Greece, Poland, and other European countries, as well as in the NIS countries.
Since he moved to the United States, he has appeared with several orchestras and music groups as well as being a soloist at various venues including the Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, White House, Smithsonian Institution, Strathmore Hall and Wolf Trap.