"Tribute to Peacemakers" A Concert in Honor of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Demetrios

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

October 31, 2009   

American Bible Society Commemorates U.S. Visit with Exhibition at Museum of Biblical Art

NEW YORK – “It was a prayer for peace,” said His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew yesterday, following the conclusion of a concert entitled “Tribute to Peace Makers” at the renowned Alice Tully Hall in Manhattan’s Lincoln Center.

The Concert was organized by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in honor of His All Holiness and in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Enthronement of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, and was attended by nearly a thousand people, faithful and guests, from the greater New York Metropolitan area.

The Manhattan Philharmonic, under the direction of its Maestro Peter Tiboris performed Verdi’s Overture to La forza del destino, Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with virtuoso Vassilis Varvaresos at the piano, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.

The special appearance of the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Youth Choir was received with enthusiastic applause as it performed, under the direction of Maria Koleva and the accompaniment of Vassilis Varvaresos, favorite pieces like Miller/Jackson’s Let There Be Peace on Earth, Bernstein’s America from West Side Story, Spanoudakis’ Petrina Hronia, Kaldaras/Pythagoras’ I Smirni and Zoudiaris’ Vosporos with soloist Flora Kirou.

Following the concert Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew praised the musicians, the children of the choir, the conductor and the choir director and told those in attendance that music has “the power to kindle love…not only for our own people, but for all the world and for every member of the human race.”

And His All Holiness added: “The flame of brotherly love fires the forge of peace. Let the song of the children be the anthem of all tonight: Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me… with every step I take, let this be my solemn vow.”

Exhibition at Museum of Biblical Art

Earlier in the evening, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Museum of Biblical Art (MOBIA). The American Bible Society in tribute of His All Holiness’ Apostolic Visit to the U.S. organized an exhibition of sacred texts and icons celebrating the history of the Orthodox tradition, which opened yesterday Oct. 30 and is continuing through Jan. 24, 2010.

ABS President and CEO Dr. R. Lamar Vest hosted privately His All Holiness who then toured the icon exhibition and a pictorial tribute for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s prophetic and pioneering leadership for the environment.  In his presentation to the Ecumenical Patriarch Dr. R. Lamar Vest said: “In Your All Holiness’ ministry, the Gospel is made relevant to the most pressing matters of the day, as you apply the truths and mandates of Scripture on issues of socioeconomic justice, human freedom, religious tolerance, and especially on the environmental crisis.” Dr. Vest presented to His All Holiness a commemorative edition of the Paschal reading from the Gospel of John, entitled, In the Beginning Was the Word, in forty different languages.

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Contact: Stavros Papagermanos
Tel.:  (212) 570-3530
Email:  pressoffice@goarch.org

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