December 14, 2019

THE “SHNORHALI” CHOIR DEDICATES ITS CONCERT TO THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF GOMIDAS VARTABED

Under the patronage of His Holiness Aram I, the “Shnorhali” choir of the Catholicosate of Cilicia marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of the prominent Armenian ethnomusicologist Gomidas Vartabed, on Friday evening, December 13th, 2019, at Sts. Vartanants Church, in Bourdj Hamoud.

 

Rev. Fr. Zareh Nadjarian is the conductor of the choir composed of more than 50 members, who, along with live band, performed a number of religious and folk songs that Gomidas Vartabed had collected, and adapted to choir singing, from various Armenian Villages, before the Armenian Genocide destroyed most of the Armenian Culture and deported the Armenians from their motherland.

 

The concert commenced with His Holiness’ Pontifical procession and “Our Lord’s Prayer,” followed by the welcoming remarks delivered by V. Rev. Fr. Antranig Kurumian. Fr. Antranig stated that although the mission of the Gomidas Vartabed was interrupted, the songs survived. “Shnorhali” choir continues its mission having in mind to revive the Gomidas legacy and transmit the Armenian music to the new generation.

 

Finally, His Holiness Aram I delivered his pontifical message and expressing his joy, he stated that Gomidas himself would be proud to see such a heartwarming performance. He then talked about the importance of enriching our lives with values. On this occasion, the Catholicos bestowed upon V. Rev. Fr. Zaven Nadjarian, and the director of the information and communication department, V. Rev. Fr. Hovagim Panjarjian the right to bear the Pectoral Cross.

 

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