News

With great success, a religious music concert titled "Journey to the Passion – Hymns of the Triodion" took place last Thursday at the Holy Metropolitan Church of Evangelistria in Patras.

The Byzantine Choir of the "Polyphonic Choral Society of Patras", under the direction of Protopsaltis and Offikiochos of the Great Church of Christ, Professor of Byzantine Music, and President of the Organization, Yiannis Kottoros, chanted Hymns of the Triodion, deeply enriching the solemn atmosphere of the pre-Passiontide days.

Some of the hymns performed included:

• «Κατευθυνθήτω η προσευχή μου…» "Let my prayer be directed…"

• «Της μετανοίας άνοιξον μοι…» "Open to me the gates of repentance…"

• «Ο τον αμπελώνα φυτεύσας…» "He who planted the vineyard…"

• «Ουκ έστιν η Βασιλεία του Θεού…» "The Kingdom of God is not…"

• «Την ψυχοφελή πληρώσαντες Τεσσαρακοστήν…» "Having completed the soul-profiting Forty Days…"

The hymns were introduced by theologian and professor Loukas Karteris.

During the concert, the Reverend Archbishop Ambrosios Gkourvelos, the church’s presiding priest, delivered a speech on "Spiritual Messages of Holy Week."

"Days of the Epitaphios – In Voices and Instruments"

Meanwhile, last Wednesday, a concert titled "Days of the Epitaphios – In Voices and Instruments" was held at the packed "Mechanourgío" Cultural Center, featuring the Orchestra and Choir of "Heliodoria", along with a small Byzantine choir.

The ensemble was conducted by Yiannis Panagiotopoulos, who was also responsible for teaching and preparing the entire performance. Philologist and professor Natasa Papadopoulou recited timely poetic verses.

The concert took the audience on a musical pilgrimage through Holy Week and the Resurrection and was also presented at the Church of Saint Spyridon in Pyrgos, Ilia, with a keynote address by His Eminence Metropolitan Athanasios of Ilia.

The opening remarks were delivered by the Artistic Director of the Organization, Stavros Solomos, while members of the Administrative Board were also in attendance.

Admission was free for all events.