PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: info@armenianorthodoxchurch.org
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

THE SHENORHALI CHOIR OF THE CATHOLICOSATE PERFORMS
AT THE SIRAN MANOUKIAN HALL IN DBAYYE

Catholicos Aram I declared 2008 the "Year of Christian Education" in his
Holy Encyclical earlier this year.

In line with the Pontiff’s call, several events are being organized in the
Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Dioceses and many communities to bring to life
the theme of this year. Christian Education has an important role to play in
contemporary society, starting from the teaching of basic facts to children
to enhancing the knowledge of adults.

As part of the events held during the Christian Education Year, the
Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Christian Education Department organized a
concert by the Catholicosate’s "Shenorhali" Choir in the "Siran Manoukian"
Hall of the Yeghishe Manoukian College on April 15.

The concert was held under the auspices of Catholicos Aram I, who also
attended and presided over it along with the members of the Cilician
Brotherhood. Some 120 delegates participating in the international
conference in Antelias from throughout the world also attended the concert,
which attracted a large audience from the public.

Artistic director Zakar Keshishian guided the Choir with the skills of an
artist who has mastered his art and delivered a memorable performance both
for the foreign and Armenian audience.

The program of the concert included Yegmalian’s "Hayr Mer" and "Sourp Sourp"
which conveyed the beauty of holy songs to the enthusiastic listeners. New
performances were delivered of three songs from the middle ages- "Varanimk",
"Khengi Dzari Neman Es" and the song dedicated to the Virgin Mary- as well
as the Holy Resurrection song of "Ov Bardizban". Gomidas’ "Ov Zaramanali",
"Aysor Tsaynn Hayragan" and "Kovya Yerousaghem Zder" also featured on the
event’s program. "Ov Kerahrash Dzaghig" and "Nor Dzaghig", samples of the
Armenian Church’s beautiful hymns, captured the audience. Shahan Berberian’s
"Chrisdos Badrakial" was performed with a new style. The masterpiece of the
concert both music and lyrics wise was Robert Bedrossian’s "Khatchkar".

The concert ended with "Cilicia" with the audience signing along with the
Choir.

The Catholicos praised the "Shenorhali" Choir for the improvement of its
performances over time. He commended its artistic director and the
individual singers, who voluntarily contribute to out national and church
life.

In his English language address to the foreign guests in the audience, the
Pontiff upheld the importance of Christian education in the life of
present-day society as the pillar of society and the guarantor of the
survival of the Church.

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View the photos here:
c/Photos/Photos242.htm
http://www.armenianorthodox church.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos243.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.