Archons encouraged to attend Christmas Byzantine Concert at Carnegie Hall to benefit 8th Century Church in Proussa, Dec 16

New York

2/12/2012

On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, you are invited to attend this year’s Christmas concert at Carnegie Hall entitled, Glory in the Highest. It was the holy angels who appeared to the shepherds on Christmas day and proclaimed, Glory to God in the highest for the remarkable event of our Savior’s birth. On December 16 at 6PM, the Archdiocesan Byzantine and Youth Choirs of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese will join their voices to those of the angels in singing praises to God and offering Him thanksgiving for His Son’s birth.

But this concert will serve an additional purpose. We hope to combine the spirit and excitement of this Christmas concert with the important effort of our beloved Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to reopen the ancient church of the Holy Archangels in Siyi, Turkey. We hope that the doxology offered by the shepherds on Christmas day may again be heard as it was for centuries by the faithful in this ancient church of the Holy Archangels. This is why all the proceeds from this concert will be offered to assist in this noble cause.

The church of the Holy Archangels, or as it is known in Greek, the Taxiarches, was built in the 8th century and is located in the town of Siyi, Turkey in the Metropolis of Proussa. The church of the Taxiarches is an important church of the Metropolis of Proussa, given that it is among the oldest ones still standing in this eparchy. During the exchange of populations at the turn of the 20th century the Turkish government confiscated this church and rendered it closed to the faithful. Now, almost 100 years later, our beloved Ecumenical Patriarch is diligently working, with the help of the local metropolitan, to reopen it as a house of worship. By attending this concert you will help make this sacred endeavor a reality.

The concert program will feature a selection of ecclesiastical hymns from the Christmas period performed by the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir in Greek. The Archdiocesan Youth Choir will perform a number of traditional Christmas songs and Greek Kalanda to joyfully usher in the holiday season. This is the second time the Archdiocesan choirs are sharing a stage at Carnegie Hall. This evening is sure to be a most memorable one and I hope that you will keep our choirs and the ancient church of the Holy Archangels close to your hearts.

Conveying to you His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios warmest prayers and blessings for a joyous Christmas and offering you my sincerest thanks, I remain

With deepest gratitude,

Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos
Director, Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music

To learn more, or to purchase tickets, visit: asbm.goarch.org/carnegieconcert
You may also call Carnegie Hall directly at 212-347-7800

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