The year 2023 marks a milestone for a little-known but tremendously influential figure in the history of worldwide Christianity: the 850th anniversary of the death of St. Nerses Shnorhali, meaning “the Graceful” (1102-1173)—a saint of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
This commemoration has been included among the important milestones of eminent historical figures featured in the 2023 UNESCO calendar.
A pioneer in the arts of Christian music and poetry, and a leading theologian of the Christian East, St. Nerses was also a figure of international standing in the dialogue among Christian churches. His humane, peace-oriented approach to the controversies of his day was a model of effective diplomacy—and holds vital lessons for the religious and ethnic conflicts of today.
To honor St. Nerses the Graceful’s place in Christian history, the Holy See of the Vatican will be the setting for a series of commemorative events from November 30 through December 2, 2023.
Under the title, “Armenia’s Apostle of Divine Grace: Honoring the 850th Anniversary of St. Nerses Shnorhali,” the commemorative events include:
- An international conference (November 30-December 1) at the prestigious Pontifical Oriental Institute, gathering leading scholars and churchmen from various backgrounds, for two days of intensive discussion on the monumental legacy of St. Nerses Shnorhali.
- Two concerts of St. Nerses Shnorhali’s hymns and liturgical music—a public event at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (December 1) and a private event in the Sistine Chapel (December 2)—will bring St. Nerses’s legacy of spiritual music to a worldwide audience.
- An ecumenical prayer service at the imposing Basilica of St. Peter (December 2), presided over by leaders of the Roman Catholic, Armenian Apostolic and Armenian Catholic churches—His Holiness Pope Francis, His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, and His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian—who will join together in the spirit of St. Nerses Shnorhali’s calls to religious unity.
All of these events will proceed as a joint commemoration of the Catholicosate of All Armenians, the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia and the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate of Cilicia, together with the Apostolic See of St. Peter, through its Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and Dicastery for Eastern Churches.
Find details on the events in Rome, online ticketing, information on travel arrangements and background on St. Nerses Shnorhali, on the www.StNerses850.com
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Armenia’s Apostle of Divine Grace: Honoring the 850th Anniversary of St. Nerses Shnorhali
International Conference at the Pontifical Oriental Institute
Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, 2023 (Thursday to Friday)
A gathering of leading churchmen and scholars from around the world
Public Concert in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Dec. 1, 2023 (Friday evening at 7 p.m.)
Joint choirs pay tribute to Shnorhali’s musical genius
Open to the public; tickets available online
Ecumenical Service at the Basilica of St. Peter
Dec. 2, 2023 (Saturday Morning)
Honoring Shnorhali’s vision of spiritual unity
Presiding:
His Holiness Pope Francis, Roman Catholic Church
His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II, Armenian Apostolic Church (Catholicosate of All Armenians)
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Apostolic Church (Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia)
His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, (Armenian Catholic Patriarchate of Cilicia)
Concert in the Sistine Chapel
Dec. 2, 2023 (Saturday Evening)
A musical evening in the sublime setting of the Sistine Chapel
Space is limited; audience of 200 by invitation