Concert of Hymns of Advent and the Nativity
According to the tradition of the Great Church of Christ, Constantinople
Conducted by Athanasios Paivanas
M. C. : Dr. John Hadjinicolaou
SAINT GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21th 2024
“Thou art God of peace...”
The Irmos, "God, thou art the God of peace", from the Fifth Ode of the Christmas Canon, composed by Saint Kosmas of Crete the Hymnographer, exalts God, who sent His Word. At that time, He was sent then as the "Angel of Great Counsel," leading ancient Israel out of the darkness of idolatry. Now, however, through His incarnate presence, He awakens the "New Israel" from the slumber of night and guides it to the light of the knowledge of God, so that it may worship God Himself with boldness, without fear of falling back into idolatry.
This redemptive truth, as expressed in Orthodox theology and hymnography, forms the foundation of our spiritual tradition, which flourished in the "New Jerusalem", Constantinople, finding its fullest musical expression in the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
As teachers of the School of Byzantine Ecclesiastical Music, we feel a sacred duty to preserve and pass on this rich melodic treasure, cultivating it as a precious talent entrusted to us, so that it remains vibrant and flourishing for current and future generations.
School of Byzantine Ecclesiastical Music
Master of Ceremonies: Dr. John Hadjinicolaou
Conductor: Athanasios Paivanas
Musical selection, interpretation and instruction:
Athanasios Paivanas, Andreas Kalamatianos, Hanna Ayoub, Marios Kandylaridis, Nicholas Pantelopoulos.
Nikolaos Adamopoulos, Joseph Abou Faycal, Christos Alexandridis, Vladimir Ayoub, Ebrahim Baram, Yiannis Chaskis, Stathis Christodoulopoulos, Greg Doyle, Christos Giokas, Konstantinos Kanellakos, Nikolaos Katharios, Panagiotis Kefalas, Evangelos Lygeros, Ioannis-Chrystophoros Magafas, Alekos Mammis, Spyros Nseir, Ioannis Papadimas, Ioannis Pantelopoulos, and Joel Untinen.
Nativity Detail: Jonathan Pageau – Pageau Carvings
«Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον», Forefeast Kontakion, Tone 3
«Δεῦτε ἅπαντες», Doxastikon of the Sunday of the Forefathers, Grave Tone
«Βηθλεέμ ἑτοιμάζου», Idiomelon of the First Hour, Tone Plagal 4
«Δεῦτε χριστοφόροι λαοὶ», Doxastikon of the Sixth Hour, Tone Plagal 1
«Δεῦτε ἴδωμεν πιστοί», Kathisma, Tone 4, Nenano
«Λαθών ἐτέχθης», «Ἀνέτειλας Χριστέ», Troparia of Great Vespers, Tone Plagal 2
Heirmoi of the Brief Katavasiai, Ninth Ode of Christmas, Tone 1
«Ἐπεσκέψατο» Exapostilarion, Tone 3, Stichera of the Praises, Tone 4, Legetos
«Ὅτε καιρός…», Plagal Tone 2, Doxastikon of the Praises, Musical Composition by Thrasyvoulos Stanitsas
Verses of the Slow Doxology, by Chourmouzios Chartophylax, Grave Tone Enharmonic
Carols from the Peloponnese, the Dodecanese, the Pan-Hellenic
Closing comments (in Greek)
of His Eminence,
Archbishop Sotirios
Holy Archdiocese of Canada
