Cross Culture Project

Published by the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, November 11, 2005

Cross Culture Project II produced by Peter Jon Gillquist

Set Me Free, the first album by Peter Jon Gillquist, paved the road for this Orthodox recording artist who has dedicated his life to Christ’s Holy Church. Peter Jon has released five albums that include Set Me Free, Ancient, Live At The Village, Real, and Lands Unknown. According to Peter Jon, his favorite album recorded was Real.

“My favorite CD so far is Real. It was written at a very difficult time in my life, and is heartfelt to the core. I like to know and be known, as I suppose anyone does in their heart, and I feel Real was the collection of songs that most accurately communicated the state of my growing-pain stricken soul at the time of release,” said Peter Jon Gillquist.

For the most part, many people want to listen to music that is not only pleasing to the ear, but also inspirational and behind it holds a sense of truth. For this reason, Peter Jon envisioned a compilation album that featured several talented Orthodox Christian Musicians. In 2001, he began contacting musicians across North America in hope of creating a CD of music by other Orthodox Christian Artists. What he did not realize is that this was the beginning of something so highly anticipated by all music lovers. It spread like wildfire and over time he had a long list of responses. With the help of his wife, Kristina, and the parish St. John the Evangelist of Beaver Falls, PA, twelve songs were selected and released as the first Cross Culture Project. This album has done exceptionally well and is now in its second printing.

“We were hoping to create awareness among the Orthodox that it is a good thing to use one’s gifts for the benefit of others in the artistic realm of society, while supporting the creative efforts of our own brothers and sisters in the Faith,” said Peter Jon Gillquist.

One can only admit that music from an Orthodox point of view is unique. It has something valuable to say about Christ to our society searching for solid answers. The Cross Culture Project is not intended to be dogmatics on disc; instead it was intended to act as a bridge to peak outsiders’ interest in the Church while encouraging the Orthodox in the process.

Visit St. Romano's Records for more details.

The Cross Culture Project II - Features Justin Mathews, Moses Murray, Ron Moore, David Teems, The Strawmen, Great Glass Elevator, Peter Jon Gillquist, Franklin Tait, Mark Shuttleworth, Duke & Dawn, Hunt Sidway, Gigi Shadid, Joel Weir, and jazz sensation Greg Floor. Musical styles range from folk and rock to alt-country and jazz.

The newly-released and highly anticipated Cross Culture Project II, consists of folk, folk-rock, jazz, alt-country, and rock. The CD features Justin Mathews, Moses Murray, Ron Moore, David Teems, The Strawmen, Great Glass Elevator, Franklin Tait, Mark Shuttleworth, Duke & Dawn, Hunt Sidway, Gigi Shadid, Joel Weir, Greg Floor, and Peter Jon Gillquist.

The Cross Culture Project II is available at St. Romanos Records. All proceeds go to benefit domestic outreach and evangelism endeavors including, hopefully, more volumes of the Cross Culture Project.

Don't forget about the album that started it all, The Cross Culture Project I. Find out more.



Volume 7 Number 46 - Wednesday, November 23, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY