| The Life of St. Seraphim of Sarov: A Musical Tribute A Conversation with Robert Sirico of the Orthodox Christian Music Project Jesse Dominick , Robert Sirico Robert Sirico is the founder of and composer for the Orthodox Christian Music Project (OCMP) which has as its purpose " proclaiming the eternal truth through sacred music. " The OCMP was founded in the summer of 2009 when Fr. Jonathan Ivanoff, Rector of St. John the Theologian Orthodox Church in Shirley, NY commissioned a sacred composition to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the sounding of St. John’s church, which was premiered on December 5th, 2009 on the eve of the feast of St. Nicholas. Since that time, Robert, a professional educator and the choir director at St. John's who has been a student of music for twenty years, has been studying advanced composing techniques under the tutelage of Dr. Nicholas Reeves, who is the conductor and artistic director for the OCMP. Since September 2012 Robert has been diligently and patiently working on his most ambitious project yet —a cantata in honor of the great Russian elder, St. Seraphim of Sarov. Incorporating official liturgical hymns as well as new hymnographic-style compositions, this piece, a first of its kind, seeks to vivify several scenes from the life of St. Seraphim through the rich spiritual heritage of the Russian Orthodox musical tradition. Robert has known the blessing of St. Seraphim in his own life, which inspired him to undertake this artistic journey. In his communications with OrthoChristian.com, Robert's love for St. Seraphim and for our Lord Jesus Christ, and his zeal for sharing the riches of Orthodox Christianity with the public and especially the younger generations whom he educates has been palpable and inspiring. In honor of the Uncovering of the Relics of St. Seraphim, commemorated on July 19/August 1, Robert shared more of his personal history with St. Seraphim and the course of his work on this devotional cantata in an email interview with OrthoChristian.com: |
| Journeying Up the Mountain: A Sacred Choral Music Workshop with Maestro Vladimir Gorbik/Православие.Ru Journeying Up the Mountain: A Sacred Choral Music Workshop with Maestro Vladimir Gorbik An Interview with Isaac Crabtree Jesse Dominick , Isaac Crabtree On September 27 we posted an interview with Benedict Sheehan, choirmaster at St. Tikhon's Monastery and Seminary in Pennsylvania, in which he shared his thoughts on the state of Church music in America and about the various projects with which he is involved. One of those projects is the Patriarch Tikhon Russian-American Music Institute (PaTRAM) which is dedicated to promoting high-quality Church singing, through private instructions and also through Master Classes throughout America. September 2 —6 the institute offered its first Master Class in Russia, at the Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra Podvoriye in Moscow, where Institute co-founder Maestro Vladimir Gorbik, of whom Benedict spoke, is choirmaster. Singers from America, Canada, and Russia came together for an intensive workshop in Slavonic choral music, as well as several pilgrimage-outings, under the direction of Maestro Gorbik. We spoke with Isaac Crabtree of St. John Chrysostom Orthodox Church in House Springs, MO, one of the thirty-five participants in the Master Class, about the experience. His thoughts and reflections are a testament to the work of PaTRAM and give us insight into the depth of the Orthodox choral tradition, and what can be accomplished both technically and spiritually when we give our best effort and our first fruits to the Lord. —Give us a run-down of the daily schedule of the conference. —This was a four-day Master Class, Wednesday—Saturday, that also included several planned excursions to holy places. Our final practice was on Saturday afternoon and we sang the Vigil at the Podvoriye Saturday evening, and the Divine Liturgy on Sunday. Each day was scheduled differently, but all were a combination of rehearsals or divine services and either planned or informal excursions. |
| Tweet Нравится Authenticity of scrolls with first mention of Christ proven Moscow, December 2, 2016 Physicists from the British university of Surrey have proven the authenticity of 2,000-year-old metallic scrolls found in 2008 in a Jordanian cave. The book, with a portrait of Christ, describes the appearance of God in Solomon’s temple as Jesus prayed, reports Vesti.Ru with reference to Yahoo! News . The unique, historical artifact is made of several sheets of lead bonded with wire. The text, engraved on the metal surface, says that the teaching of Christ was not a new religion, but the revival of the ancient Jewish religious tradition. The apostles John, Peter and James are also mentioned on the pages of the ancient book. For almost eight years researchers were unable to establish the authenticity of the book, and for a long time it was considered a counterfeit. British physicists Chris Jeynes and Roger Webb set about working on precisely this point, conducting a chemical analysis of the find. They established that the composition of the alloy is based on lead, which the book is made from, identical to the composition of ancient Roman lead plates. According to the scientists, the isotopic analysis excludes that it could have been fabricated in the twentieth or twenty-first century. Translated by Jesse Dominick Pravoslavie.ru 2 декабря 2016 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также Irish worker discovers ancient manuscript that links Irish church to Egypt Irish worker discovers ancient manuscript that links Irish church to Egypt The conservator called the finding miraculous: “We never before had to deal with a manuscript recovered from a bog. " Very rare manuscripts from Mt. Athos presented at exhibition in St. Petersburg Very rare manuscripts from Mt. Athos presented at exhibition in St. Petersburg An exhibition of very rare tenth-eighteenth century notated manuscripts from Holy Mount Athos opened on October 11 at the National Library of Russia in St. |
| Tweet Нравится Estonian Orthodox church iconostasis and icons named cultural monument Source: RIA-Novosti Tallinn, Estonia, December 1, 2016 Estonian Minister of Culture Indrek Saar has signed an order recognizing as cultural monuments the structures, iconostasis, icons, and altarpiece with framework of the church of St. John the Baptist in the village of Kolga-Yani, reports the portal Delfi. The Orthodox Church was built in Kolga-Yani (near the city of Tartu) in the 1870s. At the same time it was decided how to decorate the church, including the wooden iconostasis, icons, and altarpiece with frame behind the iconostasis. In all, nineteen sacred images, surrounded by wooden decorated designs, were included as monuments. According to the adviser for protecting monuments of antiquity, Estonian Minister of Culture Liini Yanes, it is very important that the ensemble was taken under protection as a whole. “Although the decoration of the church of St. John the Baptist in Kolga-Yani was completely typical for the 1870s, it has become a rarity by our times,” noted the adviser. Until now, not a single iconostasis as a whole had been taken under protection. The proposal to recognize the church décor as a cultural monument was made by the department for protecting monuments of antiquity, arguing for it on the basis of its time and place, uniqueness and wholeness. The recognition of the object as a cultural monument allows the owner to apply for grants for maintenance and beautification. Translated by Jesse Dominick RIA-Novosti 2 декабря 2016 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также Ancient church with pre-Mongolian frescoes to be restored in North Ossetia Ancient church with pre-Mongolian frescoes to be restored in North Ossetia The monumental wall paintings of the pre-Mongolian and Mongolian periods have survived in this church which was transferred to the diocese in 2015. Similar examples of such early Church artwork are known mostly in the north of Russia, first of all in Veliky Novgorod and Pskov. |
| Tweet Нравится Greek metropolitan sharply criticizes Tsipras’ speech at funeral of Fidel Castro Athens, December 5, 2016 Metropolitan Ambrose of Kalavryta and Aigialeia wrote on Thursday an open letter to Prime Minister Tsipras, condemning him for comparing the 1821 Greek Revolution with the 1959 Cuban Civil War, which he called a national crime and shame, simultaneously criticizing the extravagance of the Prime Minister’s “unnecessary” trip to Cuba, reports Russian Athens . (According to the presidential palace, the Prime Minister’s Cuba trip cost 22,900 euros, but according to the newspaper Ta Nea it was no less than In particular, he writes: “As reported by the mass media, you said the following blasphemous words: ‘Freedom or death was the slogan of the Greek Revolution of 1821. Patria o muerte [Motherland or death] was the slogan of the Cuban Revolution of 1959.’ In other words, you equated the 1821 Greek Revolution with its nearly 400-year slavery befallen our ancestors at the hands of the Turkish invaders, with the Cuban Revolution which was an internal, Communist revolution of a few Cuban Communists and their leader Fidel Castro against Batista, the president of the country, and their Cuban compatriots.” The metropolitan characterized Tsipras’ laudatory Cuban speech as criminally inappropriate, then as if in address to Comandante Fidel Castro, among other things noted that he “was known for his amorality, considering that he erotically ‘cuddled’ several hundred women.” Finishing his letter, Metropolitan Ambrose upbraided himself for greeting Tsipras at the time of his oath with the words: “Hello, wonderful young Prime Minister.” Translated by Jesse Dominick Pravoslavie.ru 5 декабря 2016 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также Metropolitan Ambrose of Kalavryta: I call you to battle for our faith! Metropolitan Ambrose of Kalavryta: I call you to battle for our faith! Metropolitan Ambrose of Kalavryta has blamed the Greek government for the cynical collapse of the agreements reached together with the primate of the Greek Church. |
| Tweet Нравится Meeting held between abbot of St. Panteleimon’s Monastery with Patriarch of Constantinople Mt. Athos, November 9, 2016 His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, to whom the Holy Mountain is canonically obedient, received at his Constantinople residence the newly-elected abbot of the Russian Athonite Monastery of St. Panteleimon Archimandrite Evlogy (Ivanov), reports a correspondent of the site Russian Athos . The Ecumenical Patriarch imparted his archpastoral blessing and exhortation to the newly-elected abbot of the Russian Athonite monastery, having the status of a patriarchal stavropegial monastery, wishing the help of God in his impending pastoral labors. His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew also awarded Archimandrite Evlogy a patriarchal pectoral cross. This was Fr. Evlogy’s first meeting with the ruling patriarch of Constantinople after his enthronement as abbot of the Russian Monastery on Mt. Athos. Before his election Fr. Evlogy carried out his obedience for several years in the St. Panteleimon’s Athonite podvoriye in Constantinople. Translated by Jesse Dominick 9 ноября 2016 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также Newly-elected igumen of St. Panteleimon’s Monastery ordained as hieromonk Newly-elected abbot of St. Panteleimon’s Monastery ordained as hieromonk The festive Liturgy in the Protection Cathedral of St. Panteleimon’s Monastery was celebrated by three hierarchs: Met. Zinovy (Korzinkin) of Saransk and Mordovia, Abp. Jonathan (Tsvetkov) of Abakhan and Khakassia, and Bp. Barsanuphy (Stolyar) of Borodyansk, vicar of the Kiev diocese. New abbot of Athonite St. Panteleimon’s Monastery elected New abbot of Athonite St. Panteleimon’s Monastery elected A ballot for the new abbot of the Russian St. Panteleimon’s Monastery on Mt. Athos was held on October 2, 2016, with Hierodeacon Evlogy (Ivanov) being chosen as the new superior. Igumen of Athonite St. Panteleimon Monastery buried (+ PHOTOS) Igumen of Athonite St. |
| Tweet Нравится Metropolitan Ambrose of Kalavryta: I call you to battle for our faith! Athens, October 20, 2016 Metropolitan Ambrose of Kalavryta has blamed the Greek government for the cynical collapse of the agreements reached together with the primate of the Greek Church. Members of government promised at a meeting with hierarchs not to use the new educational materials and to begin to develop a program of religious education together with the Church. Bishop Ambrose emphasized that despite the archbishop’s reassurances after his meeting with Prime Minister A. Tsipras that “the misunderstanding was removed,” the next day government officials had already begun to act as if there were no agreements, reports Agionoros , with reference to the Romfea agency. “It’s obvious that the government is sneering at the Church! They have cynically deceived us!” declared Vladyka Ambrose. “We must understand that for the government the question of religious education is closed: it’s turning into a non-confessional subject where our Savior Christ is equated with Buddha and Mohammed.” According to the metropolitan of Kalavryta, active resistance is the only appropriate response to the government’s actions: “I call you to battle for our faith! We will remember the Minister of Education’s words, promising to 'put an end' to religious education in the course of the year. Can we really allow this crime to be committed? Now above all—a battle!” Translated by Jesse Dominick Pravoslavie.ru 21 октября 2016 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также Greece’s Archbishop: People Will Decide Church-State Relation Greece’s Archbishop: People Will Decide Church-State Relation During his speech, Ieronymos alleged that the leftist government has a specific agenda to alter the Christian faith and to convert religious lessons in schools to an interfaith jumble. Current Education Minister is new Nero, bishops of Church of Greece say Current Education Minister is new Nero, bishops of Church of Greece say Metropolitan Paul of Sisanion and Siatista has compared the behavior of the current Greek Education Minister with that of the notorious Roman Emperor Nero: “Nero set Rome on fire and accused Christians of this crime so as to avoid the people’s wrath. |
| Tweet Нравится Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Church to appear before court for sharp remarks concerning sodomy Source: agionoros.ru September 25, 2016 Metropolitan Alexandros of Mantineia and Kynouria has reported that he received an official summons and will soon appear in court for his statements regarding representatives of sexual minorities. Vladyka reported that he is obliged to give testimony before Tuesday September 27. In April 2016 the metropolitan of Mantineia spoke out sharply against Greek Parliament’s adopting of the law on free cohabitation: “Worst of all is that Parliament voted for laws which call perversion and depraved couplings of people of the same sex marriage.” Speaking of sodomites, Vladyka said in particular: “They are an anomaly which is condemned by society and life itself. I feel bad for them. I pray for the Lord to forgive them and that they would repent and change themselves to become honest members of our society. The Church is guided by God’s law and natural order. No one who has some weaknesses should display them publicly without any shame.” According to the metropolitan, persons of untraditional orientation are sick and in need of healing. In response to a journalist’s question: “Are there active representatives of sexual minorities amongst the members of the Church?” Vladyka answered: “I don’t know, but if we do have them, we should distance ourselves from them.” Translated by Jesse Dominick agionoros.ru 26 сентября 2016 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также Same-sex marriage case before Romanian Constitutional Court Same-sex marriage case before Romanian Constitutional Court To recognize the union would be “revolutionary,” says journalist Dan Turturica, as the vast majority of Romanians remain staunchly against the recognition and legalization of gay marriage, 85% of the population being members of the Romanian Orthodox Church. Graffiting Gay Activists Detained in Georgia Graffiting Gay Activists Detained in Georgia While the republic of Georgia engages the west politically and economically it remains a staunchly conservative nation where the Church and Patriarcha Ilia II are trusted by the vast majority of citizens. |
| Tweet Нравится Patriarch Bartholomew to visit Ukraine Source: Orthodox Life November 25, 2016 In the near future Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople will visit Ukraine and meet with the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches. Chairman of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada Andrei Parubiy expressed such hope at a Nov. 24th meeting with representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, reports Rada.gov.ua . Speaking of the results of a meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew, A. Parubiy noted that he had invited Patriarch Bartholomew to visit Ukraine. “Patriarch Bartholomew gave the nod to such a visit to Ukraine, and I hope that we will be able to hold a meeting of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches with Patriarch Bartholomew in the near future,” stated the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada. According to him, the primate of the Church of Constantinople asked to convey his greetings and blessing to all and to thank the deputies who voted for the appeal on establishing an autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church. “Patriarch Bartholomew is well acquainted with the situation in Ukraine and is monitoring it. He sees the changes that have occurred in Ukraine over the past three years, and agrees that Ukrainians have been consolidated and Ukraine has become stronger,” said the head of Parliament. Translated by Jesse Dominick Orthodox Life 25 ноября 2016 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также The USA prevented Ukraine from overcoming schism USA prevented Ukraine from overcoming schism - UOC official Head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church press service Vasily Anisimov in his interview with Radonezh Radio spoke about the meeting of Patriarch Alexei II, Patriarch Bartholomew and Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia in Odessa in 1997. Ukrainian leaders seek Ukrainian Orthodox autocephaly Ukrainian leaders seek Ukrainian Orthodox autocephaly Meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch in August, two former Ukrainian presidents delivered to him a petition of 5,000 signatures, seeking autocephaly for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. |
| Tweet Нравится Tbilisi honors memory of 100,000 Georgian martyrs Tbilisi, November 15, 2016 Thousands of believers gathered on Metekhi Bridge in the center of the Georgian capital on the day of commemoration of the 100,000 Georgian martyrs slain by the Khwarezmians in Tbilisi in 1227. A Moleben was served on the bridge, reports Sputnik-Georgia . “Today is a special day. Today is the day of the memory of the 100,000 Georgian martyrs, whose life and actions were exceptional. As we know, they accepted martyrdom under Jalal-ad-Din. May the Lord strengthen and soothe Georgia by their prayers,” stated His Holiness and Beatitude Patriarch Ilia II. In 1227 Georgia was attacked by Khwarezm Sultan Jalal-ad-Din. On the first day of the battle in Tbilisi the Georgian army valiantly warded off the enemy’s attack, but the Persians living in Tbilisi opened the city gates at night, allowing enemy troops to enter. According to the testimony of the chroniclers, they were the “darkest days in Georgian history”—Christians were brutally massacred, babies were killed, women were raped, and mothers were killed with their children. By the order of Jalal-ad-Din, icons of the Savior and Mother of God were carried out of the Sion Cathedral and laid on the middle of the bridge over the Mtkvari River and citizens were driven to the bridge and ordered to walk on them, trampling the sacred objects. Those who turned from Christianity and defiled the holy icons were promised to be kept alive, while the rest were beheaded. 100,000 Georgians, for the sake of the icons, sacrificed their lives. Translated by Jesse Dominick Pravoslavie.ru 16 ноября 2016 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также 100,000 Martyrs of Tbilisi by the Mongols Commemorated on October 31 100,000 Martyrs of Tbilisi by the Mongols Commemorated on October 31 One hundred thousand Georgians sacrificed their lives to venerate the holy icons. One hundred thousand severed heads and headless bodies were carried by the bloody current down the Mtkvari River. 1000th anniversary of Nikortsminda church to be celebrated in Georgia 1000th anniversary of Nikortsminda church to be celebrated in Georgia According to Igumen Dionysius Bordzikula of the Nikorstminda Diocese, the millennial jubilee of the church occurred in 2014, but at that time funds were not found to commemorate it in a fitting manner. Holy Royal Martyr Queen Shushanik (†475) Holy Royal Martyr Queen Shushanik (†475) Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze Saint Shushanik was the wife of the Georgian prince Varsken, the ruler of Hereti. Having been raised in a pious Christian family, she was deeply penetrated with love and the fear of God. Комментарии Sunil bedi 17 ноября 2016, 07:00 I l houner the sentiment of tbilisi People . God always be with Georgia " people © 1999-2016 Православие.Ru |
|
|
