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

A LECTURE ON ARMENIAN HYMNS IN THE SEMINARY

It has become a habit to hold cultural evening in the Seminary of Fridays.
The first such event for this academic year was held on the evening of
November 7 in the "Prapion Doumanian" hall of the Seminary. The Grand
Sacristan of Cathedral in Antelias, Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian, delieved a
lecture on "the Hymns of the Armenian Church".

Speaking about Armenian hymns in his opening remarks, Deacon Serj Tinkdjian
said: "Hymns are generally well integrated into our Church’s services and
rites. They are bridges that lead us to various spiritual heights by
creating an atmosphere of prayer." Tinkdjian briefly presented the
Archbishop and invited him to deliver his lecture.

Archbishop Ohanian spoke in detail about the style of writing of hymns,
their content, their musical uniqueness throughout different periods. The
Archbishop focused on the theological depth of the hymns, the principles of
the Armenian Church, which have been incorporated in the hymns in a poetic
style.

The Archbishop also emphasized the importance of performance, both in terms
of music and spirit, advising Seminary students to perform the hymns to full
precision in order to inspire the faithful.

The closing remarks were delivered by the Deacon, Bishop Shahe Panossian,
who thanked Archbishop Ohanian on behalf of the Seminary students and its
management. "Hymns teach us language, literature, The Holy Gospel, a taste
in singing, music; we can talk to God through them," he said.

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View photo here:
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Theological
Seminary 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.