The Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is preparing for their upcoming historic visit and performance in Constantinople on the occasion of the Great Feast of St. Andrew, the First-Called Apostle. This is the feast day of our beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate and so hierarchs from throughout the world will be in attendance to celebrate on this most auspicious day. At the invitation of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and with the blessing of Archbishop Demetrios of America, the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir will perform in the ancient church of Hagia Irini which not only stands directly behind the Great Church of Hagia Sophia but was the site of the 2nd Ecumenical Council in 381AD.
For more information about the trip and concert CLICK HERE.
The Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is preparing for their upcoming historic visit and performance in Constantinople on the occasion of the Great Feast of St. Andrew, the First-Called Apostle. This is the feast day of our beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate and so hierarchs from throughout the world will be in attendance to celebrate on this most auspicious day. At the invitation of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and with the blessing of Archbishop Demetrios of America, the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir will perform in the ancient church of Hagia Irini which not only stands directly behind the Great Church of Hagia Sophia but was the site of the 2nd Ecumenical Council in 381AD.
It is our hope that you will take the time to explore this page and support the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir in making its dream to travel to Constantinople a reality.
Wishing you abundant blessings from God during this New Ecclesiastical Year, I remain
Prayerfully yours in Christ,
Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos Director, Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music
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[pl_tabcontent number=”2″] About the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
The Ecumenical Patriarchate is the highest see and holiest center of the Orthodox Christian Church throughout the world. It is an institution with a history spanning seventeen centuries, during which it retained its see in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul). It constitutes the center of all the local Orthodox Churches, heading these not by administration but by virtue of its primacy in the ministry of pan-Orthodox unity and the coordination of the activity of the whole of Orthodoxy.
The function of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as center par excellence of the life of the entire Orthodox world emanates from its centuries-old ministry in the witness, protection and outreach of the Orthodox faith. The Ecumenical Patriarchate therefore possesses a supra-national and supra-regional character. From this lofty consciousness and responsibility for the people of Christ, regardless of race and language, were born the new regional Churches of the East, from the Caspian to the Baltic, and from the Balkans to Central Europe. This activity today extends to the Far East, to America and Australia.
Orthodox Christians on all continents, which do not fall under the jurisdiction of the autocephalous (independent) or autonomous (semi-independent) Churches, fall under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The most important of the autocephalous Churches are the ancient Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem (together with the ancient Archdiocese of Mt. Sinai), the Patriarchates of Russia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Georgia, as well as the Churches of Cyprus, Greece, Poland, Albania, and the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia. The Autonomous Churches include those of Finland and of Estonia. Consequently, the Orthodox Churches in Europe, America, Australia and Britain, which are not under the jurisdiction of the aforementioned autocephalous Churches, lie within the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. All Orthodox feel that they are constituents of one essentially spiritual community, wherein “when one member suffers, so do all.” It is a true sense of unity in diversity.
For more information about the Ecumenical Patriarchate click here.
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About Hagia Irini
Naming
The church was dedicated by Constantine to the peace of God, and is one of the three shrines which the Emperor devoted to God’s attributes, together with Hagia Sophia (Wisdom) and Hagia Dynamis (Force). It is also one of the Byzantine Churches that has never been converted into a mosque.
Church
The building reputedly stands on the site of a pre-Christian temple. It ranks, in fact, as the first church built in Constantinople. Roman emperor Constantine I commissioned the first Hagia Irene church in the 4th century. From May to July 381 the First Council of Constantinople took place in the church. It was burned down during the Nika revolt in 532. Emperor Justinian I had the church restored in 548. It served as the church of the Patriarchate before Hagia Sophia was completed in 360.
Heavily damaged by an earthquake in the 8th century, it dates in its present form largely from the repairs made at that time. The Emperor Constantine V ordered the restorations and had its interior decorated with mosaics and frescoes. Hagia Irene is the only example of a Byzantine church in the city which retains its original atrium. A great cross in the half-dome above the main narthex, where the image of the Pantocrator or Theotokos was usually placed in Byzantine tradition, is a unique vestige of the Iconoclastic art; presumably it replaced earlier decoration. The church was enlarged during the 11th and 12th centuries.
The church measures 100 m × 32 m. It has the typical form of a Roman basilica, consisting of a nave and two aisles, divided by columns and pillars. It comprises a main space, a narthex, galleries and an atrium. The dome is 15m wide and 35m high and has twenty windows.
Arsenal
After the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 by Mehmed II, the church was enclosed inside the walls of the Topkapi palace. The Janissaries used the church as an armoury. It was also used as a warehouse for war booty. During the reign of Sultan Ahmet III (1703–1730) it was converted into a weapons museum.
In 1846, Marshal of the Imperial Arsenal, Ahmed Fethi Paşa, made the church into a military antiques museum.[3] It was used as the Military Museum from 1908 until 1978 when it was turned over to the Ministry of Culture.
Concert Hall
Today, the museum serves mainly as a concert hall for classical music performances, due to its extraordinary acoustic characteristics and impressive atmosphere.
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Our Choir
The Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir
Shortly after the formation of the Archdiocesan School of Music in October 2010, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America expressed a desire for the formation of a choir to promote the rich Byzantine musical heritage of the Orthodox Church. The Archbishop’s vision became a reality under the leadership and organiation of Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos who observed the musical talent of chanters in the Direct Archdiocesan District and established the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir in December 2010 as a ministry of the Archdiocese.
The talented members of the choir consist of Greek American clergy and young men whose ages range from 16 to 40. The majority of the choir members are established head-chanters (protopsaltis) in churches from within the Direct Archdiocesan District. All members of the choir have had formal training in Byzantine Music while some have even received advanced degrees in Byzantine Music from conservatories in Athens and Thessaloniki.
The choir enjoys a broad programmatic reputation and ecclesiastical repertoire with performances in various venues such as universities, churches and recital halls of NYC. Its primary mission is to share the beauty of Byzantine Music beyond the borders of Orthodox Churches and reveal the spiritual depth of this ancient form of ecclesiastical chant.
Since its inception, the choir has been directed by Demetrios Kehagias. Born in Queens NY, Mr. Kehagias began studying Byzantine Music at the age of 14 under the tutelage of Archon Protopsaltis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Mr. Nikolaos Steliaros. Among his top students in musical theory and application, Mr. Kehagias advanced swiftly and, at age 20, obtained the Certificate of Chant with highest distinction from the National Conservatory of Athens.
Thereafter, Mr. Kehagias was appointed Protopsaltis at St. Demetrios Cathedral of Astoria, NY, the largest Greek community outside of Greece, where he served for 10 years. In 2009, he received the advanced degree of Byzantine Music Teaching (Diploma Mousikodidaskalou) with highest distinction from the National Conservatory of Athens. Mr. Kehagias also has a firm knowledge of western music, having studied jazz and composition at Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY.
Members of the Archdiocesan Byzantine and Youth Choirs with Archbishop Demetrios of America following their performance at Carnegie Hall in December 2012.
In October 2010, Archbishop Demetrios of America appointed Mr. Kehagias first instructor for the newly established Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music. He currently serves as Protopsaltis at the Kimisis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, Brooklyn, NY. His dedication to teaching Byzantine Music and his vision to find creative ways to share Byzantine Music to the general public have led this choir to a level of excellence demonstrated by their concerts and in the presentation of the choir as seasoned performers.
The choir has grown significantly in reputation, becoming a premier Byzantine Music choir in the New York Metropolitan area as well as among Greek American communities. The choir’s goals are to provide a positive social setting based on the Orthodox Faith, to help the members of the choir achieve excellence in musical performance and to provide them with the rewards of participation in the choral arts. Committed to musical excellence, the choir gives talented young chanters the opportunity to share the treasure of Byzantine Music with all people.
The Choir’s dedication to musical excellence and broad range of musical presentation has resulted in unique concerts even though it has only been in existence for less than a year. The following are some of the choir’s special performances:
2010 DecemberDebut performance at Fairfield University as part of a lecture series on Orthodox Theology.
2011 January AnnualThree Hierarchs Greek Letters Celebration organized by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, NYC.
2011 April Invited by the Consul General of Greece in New York, H.E. Agi Balta, to chant for the inauguration of an exhibition of paintings by George Lelekopoulos on the Passion and Resurrection of Christ.
2011 May First Paschal Concert entitled “Arise, O Lord” at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, NYC.
2011September Performed as part of an inter-religious call to prayer for a special commemoration on the 10th Anniversary of September 11th organized by St. John the Divine Cathedral in NYC.
2011 OctoberFirst Washington OXI Day Foundation Doxology in commemoration of October 28th, 1941, at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Washington DC.
2011 December Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Concert entitled “ASMA KAINON (A New Song): Chant of the Greek Orthodox Church.”
2012 January AnnualThree Hierarchs Greek Letters Celebration organized by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at the Onassis Center USA in mid-town New York.
2012 March Invited to perform at the 100 year anniversary celebration from the establishment of the Panchiaki “Korais” Society of New York in St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Flushing, NY.
2012 March Invited to perform two mini-concerts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the Byzantium and Islam Family Day celebrations.
2012 June Concerthosted at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity entitled, “We Have Seen the Light.”
2012 September Invited to perform with the St. Romanos Choir of the Archdiocese of Beirut in St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY.
2012 DecemberZankel Hall at Carnegie Hall. Concert entitled, “Glory in the Highest.”
2013 May Concert in honor of Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece entitled, “He is Risen!” at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, NYC.
All photos by D. Panagos. [/pl_tabcontent]
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With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music (ASBM) is pleased to announce the beginning of its fourth year of operation. ASBM is now accepting new students. Anyone interested in learning byzantine music is invited to attend the ASBM orientation on Saturday, September 7, 2013 in the Archdiocesan Cathedral Hall located at 337 E. 74th St. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the program and the exciting new things ASBM will be offering to her students as well as for parents and potential students alike to meet with the music instructors and with ASBM’s current students. At the conclusion of the orientation a brief oral placement exam will be administered for all new students. Light refreshments will also be served.
For more information about our school, please visit: www.asbm.goarch.org or call 212-570-3590.
Wishing you abundant blessings from God as we embark on a new ecclesiastical year, I remain
New York, NY: On the evening of May 19, 2013 and in front of a crowd of over 300 people, the Archdiocesan Cathedral became the venue for a concert in honor of His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos B’ of Athens and All Greece, entitled “He is Risen!” The concert consisted of selections performed in two parts. The first part of the concert commenced with the Archdiocesan Youth Choir performing a selection of traditional Greek songs. The Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir who chanted a number of ecclesiastical hymns from the Paschal period performed the second part of the concert.
Among the distinguished guests present at the concert were members of the Archbishop’s official delegation from Athans, His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostom of Messinias, Bishop Gabriel of Diavleias (chief secretary of the Synod of the Church of Greece), Rev. Protopresbyter Adamatios Augoustidis, and Archdeacon Epifanios Arvanitis. Also in attendance were the Ambassadors of Greece and Cyprus to the United Nations Mr. Michael Spinellis and Mr. Nicholas Emiliou respectively, the Consul Generals of Greece and Cyprus Mr. George Iliopoulos and Ms. Koula Sophianou as well as other Metropolitans and diplomats from other jurisdictions.
Members of the Archdiocesan Byzantine at Holy Trinity Cathedral June 16, 2012. (Photo by D. Panagos)
With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, and on behalf of the members of the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir, we wish to cordially invite you to attend a concert entitled, “He is Risen!” The concert will be performed by the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir with a special performance by the Archdiocesan Youth Choir and will take place on May 19, 2013 at Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity located at 319 East 74th Street at 6:00PM.
The concert program will feature a selection of ecclesiastical hymns from the Paschal season which will be performed by the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir in Greek. The Archdiocesan Youth Choir has also been invited as a special guest to perform a number of traditional American and Greek songs. Both choirs will join their voices, as they did at Carnegie Hall in December 2012.
It should be noted that all the evening’s proceeds will go to help the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir continue to promote and share the beauty of Byzantine Music here and abroad. It is their firm hope that they will be blessed to travel to Constantinople and perform in honor of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I on the occasion of the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle in November of 2013.
We looking forward to seeing you at this most special concert!
[pl_tabs][pl_tabtitlesection type=”tabs”][pl_tabtitle active=”yes” number=”1″]About the Concert[/pl_tabtitle][pl_tabtitle number=”2″]Location[/pl_tabtitle][pl_tabtitle number=”3″]Videos of the Choir [/pl_tabtitle][pl_tabtitle number=”4″]Buy Tickets[/pl_tabtitle][pl_tabtitle number=”5″]Donate[/pl_tabtitle][/pl_tabtitlesection][pl_tabcontentsection][pl_tabcontent active=”yes” number=”1″]
Members of the Archdiocesan Byzantine and Youth Choirs with Archbishop Demetrios of America following their performance at Carnegie Hall in December 2012. (Photo by Dimitrios Panagos)
With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music is happy to announce that on May 19, 2013 at the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir will offer their Paschal concert in honor of His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens on the occasion of his first ever visit to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece , was born Ioannis Liapis in 1938. He is a graduate of the School of Philosophy and the School of Theology of the University of Athens, followed by Byzantine studies on a nationwide state scholarship, and post-graduate studies in Austria and Germany. He was academic assistant to the great archaeologist Anastasios Orlandos, founding member and later president of the Archaeological Society of Athens, and was a teacher of literature at the Leontios School in the Nea Smyrni suburb of Athens, as well as at high schools in Athens and Avlona. He set aside his academic career after entering the clergy. Ieronymos was unanimously elected Metropolitan in 1981, after serving as abbot of two monasteries (1971-1981) and as secretary and later Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece (1978-81). The overwhelming majority (82 of the 110) priests in his metropolis (Thebes and Levadeia) are degree-holders in theology with a second degree (in fields such as literature, architecture, medicine, informatics education, education, and economic sciences) making it the first metropolis of the Church of Greece to have clergy of such a high level of education. Under his term as Metropolitan of Thebes and Levadeia and through his guidance, six monasteries (with a total of 45 monks) and 17 convents (with a total of 110 nuns) were renovated and staffed. He has also written numerous articles, studies, and books on theological, social, and historical topics, while his book Medieval Monuments of Evia received the Athens Academy’s top award in 1970. His social work also includes the founding of boarding schools, orphanages and introduction of the institution of foster families, shelters for the elderly, rehabilitation centres for the mentally challenged, a training centre for the creative occupation of children with special needs in cooperation with prefectural agencies, a drug prevention centre, food kitchens for the poor, including economic immigrants, consulting centres, and a Centre of Historical and Archaeological Studies, while, as a former academic, he had developed a special relationship with the teaching community in Viotia. He has most recently received an honorary doctorate from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (May 2013).
The concert program will feature a selection of ecclesiastical hymns from the Paschal season which will be performed by the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir in Greek. The Archdiocesan Youth Choir has also been invited as a special guest to perform a number of traditional American and Greek songs. Both choirs will join their voices, as they did at Carnegie Hall in December 2012, to pay honor to Archbishop Ieronymos.
It should be noted that all the evening’s proceeds will go to help the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir continue to promote and share the beauty of Byzantine Music here and abroad. It is their firm hope that they will be blessed to travel to Constantinople and perform in honor of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I on the occasion of the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle in November of 2013.
We looking forward to seeing you at this most special concert!
Conveying to you His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios’ warmest prayers and blessings, I remain
With deepest gratitude in the Risen Lord,
Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos
Director, Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music
[/pl_tabcontent][pl_tabcontent number=”2″]About the Cathedral
Founded in 1892, our beloved Cathedral parish has been hailed as the gateway of Orthodoxy to America. All the while, we have faced recessions and prosperity, war and the tumbling down of walls, violence and miracles. Amid the chaos and unpredictability, our Cathedral has remained resilient and steadfast — a beacon of the Orthodox Faith. For more information about the Cathedral click here.[/pl_tabcontent][pl_tabcontent number=”3″]The Archdiocesan Choir (Photo by Dimitrios Panagos)
Shortly after the formation of the Archdiocesan School of Music in October 2010, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America expressed a desire for the formation of a choir to promote the rich Byzantine musical heritage of the Orthodox Church. The Archbishop’s vision became a reality under the leadership and organiation of Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos who observed the musical talent of chanters in the Direct Archdiocesan District and established the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir in December 2010 as a ministry of the Archdiocese.
The talented members of the choir consist of Greek American clergy and young men whose ages range from 16 to 40. The majority of the choir members are established head-chanters (protopsaltis) in churches from within the Direct Archdiocesan District. All members of the choir have had formal training in Byzantine Music while some have even received advanced degrees in Byzantine Music from conservatories in Athens and Thessaloniki.
The choir enjoys a broad programmatic reputation and ecclesiastical repertoire with performances in various venues such as universities, churches and recital halls of NYC. Its primary mission is to share the beauty of Byzantine Music beyond the borders of Orthodox Churches and reveal the spiritual depth of this ancient form of ecclesiastical chant.
Since its inception, the choir has been directed by Demetrios Kehagias. Born in Queens NY, Mr. Kehagias began studying Byzantine Music at the age of 14 under the tutelage of Archon Protopsaltis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Mr. Nikolaos Steliaros. Among his top students in musical theory and application, Mr. Kehagias advanced swiftly and, at age 20, obtained the Certificate of Chant with highest distinction from the National Conservatory of Athens.
Thereafter, Mr. Kehagias was appointed Protopsaltis at St. Demetrios Cathedral of Astoria, NY, the largest Greek community outside of Greece, where he served for 10 years. In 2009, he received the advanced degree of Byzantine Music Teaching (Diploma Mousikodidaskalou) with highest distinction from the National Conservatory of Athens. Mr. Kehagias also has a firm knowledge of western music, having studied jazz and composition at Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY.
In October 2010, Archbishop Demetrios of America appointed Mr. Kehagias first instructor for the newly established Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music. He currently serves as Protopsaltis at the Kimisis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, Brooklyn, NY. His dedication to teaching Byzantine Music and his vision to find creative ways to share Byzantine Music to the general public have led this choir to a level of excellence demonstrated by their concerts and in the presentation of the choir as seasoned performers.
The choir has grown significantly in reputation, becoming a premier Byzantine Music choir in the New York Metropolitan area as well as among Greek American communities. The choir’s goals are to provide a positive social setting based on the Orthodox Faith, to help the members of the choir achieve excellence in musical performance and to provide them with the rewards of participation in the choral arts. Committed to musical excellence, the choir gives talented young chanters the opportunity to share the treasure of Byzantine Music with all people.
The Choir’s dedication to musical excellence and broad range of musical presentation has resulted in unique concerts even though it has only been in existence for less than a year. The following are some of the choir’s special performances:
2010 DecemberDebut performance at Fairfield University as part of a lecture series on Orthodox Theology.
2011 January AnnualThree Hierarchs Greek Letters Celebration organized by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, NYC.
2011 April Invited by the Consul General of Greece in New York, H.E. Agi Balta, to chant for the inauguration of an exhibition of paintings by George Lelekopoulos on the Passion and Resurrection of Christ.
2011 May First Paschal Concert entitled “Arise, O Lord” at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, NYC.
2011September Performed as part of an inter-religious call to prayer for a special commemoration on the 10th Anniversary of September 11th organized by St. John the Divine Cathedral in NYC.
2011 OctoberFirst Washington OXI Day Foundation Doxology in commemoration of October 28th, 1941, at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Washington DC.
2011 December Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Concert entitled “ASMA KAINON (A New Song): Chant of the Greek Orthodox Church.”
2012 January AnnualThree Hierarchs Greek Letters Celebration organized by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at the Onassis Center USA in mid-town New York.
2012 March Invited to perform at the 100 year anniversary celebration from the establishment of the Panchiaki “Korais” Society of New York in St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Flushing, NY.
2012 March Invited to perform two mini-concerts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the Byzantium and Islam Family Day celebrations.
2012 June Concerthosted at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity entitled, “We Have Seen the Light.”
2012 September Invited to perform with the St. Romanos Choir of the Archdiocese of Beirut in St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY.
2012 DecemberZankel Hall at Carnegie Hall. Concert entitled, “Glory in the Highest.”[/pl_tabcontent][pl_tabcontent number=”4″]Buy Tickets
With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir is happy to announce a concert program which will feature a selection of ecclesiastical hymns from the Paschal season in Greek. The Archdiocesan Youth Choir has been invited as a special guest to perform a number of traditional American and Greek songs. These choirs will join their voices in honor of Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens upon his first ever visit to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The evening’s proceeds will all go to help the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir continue to promote and share the beauty of Byzantine Music here and abroad. It is there firm hope that they will be blessed to travel to Constantinople and perform in honor of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in occasion of the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle in November of 2013. Ticket purchase includes access to reception in the Church Ballroom to follow.
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If you are unable to attend, but are still interested in making a donation, kindly make your checks payable to:
GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE
In the Memo write: ASBM
Send checks to:
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
C/O Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos
8 East 79th Street
New York, NY 10075
For further information, call 212-570-3590.[/pl_tabcontent][pl_tabcontent number=”5″][gravityform id=”2″ name=”Make a Donation“][/pl_tabcontent][/pl_tabcontentsection][/pl_tabs]
[pl_tabs][pl_tabtitlesection type=”tabs”][pl_tabtitle active=”yes” number=”1″]About the Concert[/pl_tabtitle][pl_tabtitle number=”2″]Location[/pl_tabtitle][pl_tabtitle number=”3″]Videos of the Choir [/pl_tabtitle][pl_tabtitle number=”4″]Buy Tickets[/pl_tabtitle][pl_tabtitle number=”5″]Donate[/pl_tabtitle][/pl_tabtitlesection][pl_tabcontentsection][pl_tabcontent active=”yes” number=”1″]
Members of the Archdiocesan Byzantine and Youth Choirs with Archbishop Demetrios of America following their performance at Carnegie Hall in December 2012. (Photo by Dimitrios Panagos)
On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, you are invited to attend this year’s Paschal concert in honor of His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens.
Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece His Beatitude, the Most Blessed Ieronymos II (Liapis) of Athens is the Archbishop and primate of the Church of Greece. His enthronement took place on February 16, 2008.
Born Ioannis Liapis in 1938, Ieronymos is a graduate of the School of Philosophy and the School of Theology of the University of Athens, followed by Byzantine studies on a nationwide state scholarship, and post-graduate studies in Austria and Germany. He was academic assistant to the great archaeologist Anastasios Orlandos, founding member and later president of the Archaeological Society of Athens, and was a teacher of literature at the Leontios School in the Nea Smyrni suburb of Athens, as well as at high schools in Athens and Avlona. He set aside his academic career after entering the clergy. Ieronymos was unanimously elected Metropolitan in 1981, after serving as abbot of two monasteries (1971-1981) and as secretary and later Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece (1978-81). The overwhelming majority (82 of the 110) priests in his metropolis (Thebes and Levadeia) are degree-holders in theology with a second degree (in fields such as literature, architecture, medicine, informatics education, education, and economic sciences) making it the first metropolis of the Church of Greece to have clergy of such a high level of education. Under his term as Metropolitan of Thebes and Levadeia and through his guidance, six monasteries (with a total of 45 monks) and 17 convents (with a total of 110 nuns) were renovated and staffed. He has also written numerous articles, studies, and books on theological, social, and historical topics, while his book Medieval Monuments of Evia received the Athens Academy’s top award in 1970. His social work also includes the founding of boarding schools, orphanages and introduction of the institution of foster families, shelters for the elderly, rehabilitation centres for the mentally challenged, a training centre for the creative occupation of children with special needs in cooperation with prefectural agencies, a drug prevention centre, food kitchens for the poor, including economic immigrants, consulting centres, and a Centre of Historical and Archaeological Studies, while, as a former academic, he had developed a special relationship with the teaching community in Viotia.
The concert program will feature a selection of ecclesiastical hymns from the Paschal season which will be performed by the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir in Greek. The Archdiocesan Youth Choir has been invited as a special guest to perform a number of traditional songs in honor of Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens. The evening’s proceeds will all go to help the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir travel to Constantinople to attend and perform in honor of His All-Holiness on the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle in November of 2013.
Conveying to you His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios’ warmest prayers and blessings, I remain
With deepest gratitude in the Risen Lord,
Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos
Director, Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music
[/pl_tabcontent][pl_tabcontent number=”2″]About the Cathedral
Founded in 1892, our beloved Cathedral parish has been hailed as the gateway of Orthodoxy to America. All the while, we have faced recessions and prosperity, war and the tumbling down of walls, violence and miracles. Amid the chaos and unpredictability, our Cathedral has remained resilient and steadfast — a beacon of the Orthodox Faith. For more information about the Cathedral click here.[/pl_tabcontent][pl_tabcontent number=”3″]The Archdiocesan Choir (Photo by Dimitrios Panagos)
Shortly after the formation of the Archdiocesan School of Music in October 2010, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America expressed a desire for the formation of a choir to promote the rich Byzantine musical heritage of the Orthodox Church. The Archbishop’s vision became a reality under the leadership and organiation of Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos who observed the musical talent of chanters in the Direct Archdiocesan District and established the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir in December 2010 as a ministry of the Archdiocese.
The talented members of the choir consist of Greek American clergy and young men whose ages range from 16 to 40. The majority of the choir members are established head-chanters (protopsaltis) in churches from within the Direct Archdiocesan District. All members of the choir have had formal training in Byzantine Music while some have even received advanced degrees in Byzantine Music from conservatories in Athens and Thessaloniki.
The choir enjoys a broad programmatic reputation and ecclesiastical repertoire with performances in various venues such as universities, churches and recital halls of NYC. Its primary mission is to share the beauty of Byzantine Music beyond the borders of Orthodox Churches and reveal the spiritual depth of this ancient form of ecclesiastical chant.
Since its inception, the choir has been directed by Demetrios Kehagias. Born in Queens NY, Mr. Kehagias began studying Byzantine Music at the age of 14 under the tutelage of Archon Protopsaltis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Mr. Nikolaos Steliaros. Among his top students in musical theory and application, Mr. Kehagias advanced swiftly and, at age 20, obtained the Certificate of Chant with highest distinction from the National Conservatory of Athens.
Thereafter, Mr. Kehagias was appointed Protopsaltis at St. Demetrios Cathedral of Astoria, NY, the largest Greek community outside of Greece, where he served for 10 years. In 2009, he received the advanced degree of Byzantine Music Teaching (Diploma Mousikodidaskalou) with highest distinction from the National Conservatory of Athens. Mr. Kehagias also has a firm knowledge of western music, having studied jazz and composition at Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY.
In October 2010, Archbishop Demetrios of America appointed Mr. Kehagias first instructor for the newly established Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music. He currently serves as Protopsaltis at the Kimisis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, Brooklyn, NY. His dedication to teaching Byzantine Music and his vision to find creative ways to share Byzantine Music to the general public have led this choir to a level of excellence demonstrated by their concerts and in the presentation of the choir as seasoned performers.
The choir has grown significantly in reputation, becoming a premier Byzantine Music choir in the New York Metropolitan area as well as among Greek American communities. The choir’s goals are to provide a positive social setting based on the Orthodox Faith, to help the members of the choir achieve excellence in musical performance and to provide them with the rewards of participation in the choral arts. Committed to musical excellence, the choir gives talented young chanters the opportunity to share the treasure of Byzantine Music with all people.
The Choir’s dedication to musical excellence and broad range of musical presentation has resulted in unique concerts even though it has only been in existence for less than a year. The following are some of the choir’s special performances:
2010 DecemberDebut performance at Fairfield University as part of a lecture series on Orthodox Theology.
2011 January AnnualThree Hierarchs Greek Letters Celebration organized by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, NYC.
2011 April Invited by the Consul General of Greece in New York, H.E. Agi Balta, to chant for the inauguration of an exhibition of paintings by George Lelekopoulos on the Passion and Resurrection of Christ.
2011 May First Paschal Concert entitled “Arise, O Lord” at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, NYC.
2011September Performed as part of an inter-religious call to prayer for a special commemoration on the 10th Anniversary of September 11th organized by St. John the Divine Cathedral in NYC.
2011 OctoberFirst Washington OXI Day Foundation Doxology in commemoration of October 28th, 1941, at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Washington DC.
2011 December Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Concert entitled “ASMA KAINON (A New Song): Chant of the Greek Orthodox Church.”
2012 January AnnualThree Hierarchs Greek Letters Celebration organized by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at the Onassis Center USA in mid-town New York.
2012 March Invited to perform at the 100 year anniversary celebration from the establishment of the Panchiaki “Korais” Society of New York in St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Flushing, NY.
2012 March Invited to perform two mini-concerts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the Byzantium and Islam Family Day celebrations.
2012 June Concerthosted at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity entitled, “We Have Seen the Light.”
2012 September Invited to perform with the St. Romanos Choir of the Archdiocese of Beirut in St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY.
2012 DecemberZankel Hall at Carnegie Hall. Concert entitled, “Glory in the Highest.”[/pl_tabcontent][pl_tabcontent number=”4″]Buy Tickets
You are all cordially invited to join us on May 19 for an unforgettable evening of glorious music.
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March 6, 2013: NY, NY- The Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music is very happy to announce that $100,000 dollars have been raised following their benefit concert at Carnegie Hall entitled, “Glory in the Highest” on December 16, 2012. The concert, which was in front of a sold out crowd of over 600 people, was organized to assist in the effort of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to obtain the 8th century church of the Holy Archangels in Siyi, Turkey in the ancient Metropolis of Proussa. For the second time in two years the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music brought to the prestigious stage of Carnegie Hall the Archdiocesan Byzantine and Youth Choirs. In the presence of Archbishop Demetrios of America and members of the diplomatic core from Greece, Cyprus, Russia, Argentina, and Serbia the choirs inspired those in attendance with their angelic voices and excellent Christmas repertoire.
Commenting on the benefit concert and the funds that were raised Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos, director of the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music said, “I thank God for the tremendous gift to be part of such a noble cause and for the rich blessings which He has bestowed upon our youth. I thank God for His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios. Without the blessing, guidance and encouragement of His Eminence the choirs would never have been able to do what they accomplished. His Eminence has not only been the person responsible for establishing both of the Archdiocesan choirs but also for continually promoting our youth and their talents. Finally, I thank God for the great blessing of our children and young adults who offer their talents for the glory of God. All their work, together with the generosity of the donors, is indicative of the tremendous offering of love that our faithful have shown in their support of the efforts of our beloved Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. I pray that the Lord, through the intercessions of the Holy Archangels, pour forth His blessings upon all those who have diligently worked in every way to reopen this sacred church.”
The Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music thanks everyone who attended the concert at Carnegie Hall and invites everyone to attend their upcoming Paschal concert on May 19, 2013. The concert will take place at 6:00PM at Holy Trinity Cathedral located at 319 East 74th Street, NY, NY 10075. More information will be forthcoming.
To view video clips and photos from the December 16 benefit concert at Carnegie Hall visit www.asbm.goarch.org
New York, NY – In the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America and in front of a sold out crowd of over 600 people, the Archdiocesan Byzantine and Youth Choirs performed their Christmas benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall entitled, Glory in the Highest on December 16, 2012.
In his opening remarks, Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos, Director of the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music, said, “On Christmas day the holy angels appeared to the shepherds and proclaimed, Glory to God in the Highest. Tonight, the Archdiocesan Byzantine and Youth Choirs of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese will join their voices to those of the angel’s in singing praises and thanks to God for all His blessings during this solemn Christmas season.” The Archdeacon continued, “But this concert will serve an important 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 Archdeacon thanked Archbishop Demetrios for the being the founder of both choirs. He said, “I would like to firstly express the deepest and sincerest gratitude of all the members of the Byzantine and Youth choirs to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America. It was during his tenure as Archbishop that both of these distinguished choirs were formed. You have given our youth, your eminence, the possibility to learn, to develop, and to share the great gift of music.” The concert’s sponsors, Mr. and Mrs. Demetrios and Georgia Kaloidis, and the Cyprus Federation of America, were publically thanked for their tremendous offering to both choirs.
Mr. Manolis Lambrakis, a seven year old student in the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music, addressed those in attendance in both Greek and in English and thanked them for attending the concert and for their valued contribution to the effort of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. He said, “His all Holiness deeply wishes to reopen the old church in Proussa. This concert tonight is dedicated to that effort. Therefore, we will donate all the proceeds tonight to His All-Holiness’ project. We thank you all in advance for your generous contribution.”
Under the direction of Mr. Demetrios Kehagias, the first part of the concert program commenced and featured a selection of ecclesiastical hymns from the Christmas period performed by the 38 member Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir in Greek. Joining the members of the choir were 8 students from Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology including their professor of Byzantine music, Grammenos Karanos. The Byzantine choir finished their performance with the Great Doxology in First Mode, making reference to the title of the concert, Glory to God in Highest.
Under the direction of Ms. Maria Koleva the 51 member Archdiocesan Youth Choir performed a number of traditional Christmas songs and Greek Kalanda. They dedicated their first song, Prayer of the Children, to the victims of Newton, CT shooting. Following this most moving song, they joyfully usher in the holiday season with a series of Christmas carols including the difficult, Nutcracker Jingles. This is the second time the Archdiocesan choirs shared a stage at Carnegie Hall.
In attendance was his grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela and his grace Bishop Philotheos of Meloa. In addition were the Consul Generals of Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Serbia, Argentina and Poland. The concerts sponsors, Mr. Demetrios and Georgia Kaloidis were publicly thanked for their tremendous support of both choirs.
The evening will remain as one of the strongest witnesses to the beauty of Byzantine music and the talent of the youth of the Archdiocese. To view photos and watch videos please visit www.asbm.goarch.org.
New York, NY –The Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music has received a $15,000 grant from the prestigious Kallinikeion Foundation. Since its establishment in October of 2010, the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music has been granted over $35,000 from the Kallinikeion Foundation which has been its strongest supporter.
Alexandra Kallin, the founder of the Kallinikeion Foundation, was an admirer of the Greek language and culture, as well as a devout communicant of the Greek Orthodox Church. She established the Foundation in 1993 with the aim to promote the Greek language and Orthodoxy. The Kallinikeion Summer Greek Language Institute at Hellenic College, Brookline, Mass. is one project of the Foundation and is just one example of its desire to promote the Greek language and Hellenism. This grant was given in order to support the school’s mission to train and inspire future Byzantine Chanters and to enrich the liturgical life of the Direct Archdiocesan District.
Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos, the Director of ASBM, expressed his deepest gratitude to all the members of the Board of Trustees for their $15,000 grant to ASBM and for their continued support of the mission of the school. The Archdeacon commented that, “we are deeply indebted to all the members of the Kallinikeion Foundation for their generosity and trust towards the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music. We at ASBM are firmly committed to continue to promote and share our vast spiritual and musical heritage and to bear fruit for the growth and advancement of Orthodoxy and Hellenism throughout the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.” He added, “ASBM will continue to extend its most fervent prayers for the eternal repose of Alexandra Kallin, a devout and dedicated handmaiden of God who loved the Greek language and Byzantine Music and gave so generously back to her church.”
About the Cathedral
