Passions According to St. Matthews performed in Agia Irini Museum Church in Istanbul

27/3/2010

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk’s oratorio Passions According to St. Matthews was performed by Russian National Orchestra and Moscow Synodal Choir conducted by A. Puzakov on 26 March 2010 at the Agia Irini museum church in Istanbul.

Given by over 150 musicians from Russia, the recital was attended by His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Metropolitan Athanasios of Chalcedon, the Church of Constantinople clergy, Russian Ambassador to Turkey V. Ivanovsky, Serbian Ambassador V. Kurgus, Bosnia and Herzegovina Ambassador L. Ljepoja, Russian, Serbian, Ukrainian, Georgian, Venezuelan general consuls in Istanbul, diplomats from various countries, compatriots and pilgrims from Orthodox countries, as well as representatives of the Greek community and the Turkish public, over 500 people in total.

The church of Agia Irini, which used to be one of the main cathedrals in the Byzantine capital city, is known for having hosted the Second Ecumenical Council. St. Gregory the Theologian spoke in it on several occasions.

The idea to perform Metropolitan Hilarion’s oratorio in this museum church was discussed by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in his talk with His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew during his official visit to the Church of Constantinople on July 4-6, 2009, and was supported by the Primate and other prominent hierarchs of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

DECR Communication Service

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