On the occasion of the 150th birthday of Reverend Gomidas, a concert was held at the Armenian Apostolic Church Surp Krikor Lusavoriç in Kınalıada on Thursday, August 22, 2019, in collaboration with Nersesian Choir and Gazturman Gayan. The parish priest Harutyun Damadyan, of the islands presided the ceremony. At the concert, Rev. Krikor Damadyan, Rev. Zaven Bıçakçıyan, Deacon Artun Tekiroğlu S. Krikor Lusavoriç Church Foundation Chairman Levon Şadyan and his friends, Gazturman Gayan Chairman Ari Çolak and his friends, Camp Director Liza Çolakoğlu, Surp Nersesyan Choir members and music lovers were present.
The night started with the poem read by Derin Demir. The young members of the choir Lidya Liman and Sarin Bal were the presenters of the event. The presenters the meaning of the concert. In the show where first the children and then the adults presented their talents, the children had an unforgettable night with the instruments played by Sirun Sirunyan, Sevan İnyapan, Sevan Karabedyan, Nora İpekçi, Nadin Midoyan and Talar Midoyan, under the direction of Hrant Çizmeciyan and Tatyana Demir.
In the first part of the program, which lasted about half an hour, the youngest students of the Church impressed everyone with their gestures and voices. After the show of the little ones, the group of elders joined the group of little ones and a picture was taken. On this occasion, Rev. Harutyun Damatyan made an important statement and stated that the children’s choir would be called with a new name. “This concert is dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the birth of Rev. Gomidas (Vartabed). Already the whole world knows him, and he will continue to be remembered in different places. We are commemorating Him in Kınalıada. On this occasion, there is another important name to remember, which is His Beatitude Patriarch Mesrob II. Under his leadership, after the 1980s, children began to sing and listen to their own songs under this roof. Therefore, the basis of today’s event is based on His Beatitude the Patriarch. Taking into account that the 150th anniversary of the birth of Reverend Gomidas Vartabed and the death of His Beatitude the Patriarch coincided with the same year, I would like to herald that our children’s choir will be called a new name. As of today, Mesrobyan Children’s Choir has been included in the Nersesian Choir of our Church. Soon we will see Mesrobyan and Shinorhkyan choirs together on the stage. Their coexistence will remind us of the principles that the cultural tradition conveyed from the two great clergy reached us ”. Damadyan’s words were applauded by those present at the church for a long time.
Then the second part of the program was started. This part was more enthusiastic because also the band performed with the choir. During the program, which started with the Lord’s Prayer, the audience listened to many songs.
Speaking at the end of the concert, Rev. Damatyan presented commemorative gifts to the volunteers who contributed to the concert. Chief Hrant Çizmeciyan, his assistant Tatyana Demir, Sirun Sirunyan in Accordion, Sevan İnyapan in Kanun, Sevan Karabedyan in Drum, Nora İpekçi in Organ, Nadin Midoyan in Guitar and Talar Midoyan in Guitar also received great appreciation. Father Damatyan finally spoke about the music of Gomidas Vartabed and gave the following statements. “Gomdas Vartabed often appears before us with his sad face. Tonight, we remembered him with great enthusiasm. The only way to achieve this is to listen to His soul. The songs that children sing as choral remind us of Gomidas through the concept of choir, while the timbre of instruments reminds us of his mentality. It’s nice to see his pieces alive on this island where he lived. We didn’t even listen to a piece of him tonight when we remembered the Reverend Gomidas; so, you know how we remembered? Since the beginning of the concert, all the songs were accompanied by this organ which has been brought to this Armenian church by Reverend Gomidas. Without him our church songs and hymns would remain uninspired.
We owe the establishment of this choir to Patriarch Şınorhk and Patriarch Mesrob. Because thanks to the permission of Patriarch Şinorhk and the great work of Patriarch Mesrob, the cultural life began to gain momentum. In this church, where only Sunday rites were taking place, the understanding of serving God changed thanks to him. Many people who sing and listen to these songs are the product of this understanding. So, we commemorate Gomidas Vartabed and those who taught us about him.”
The concert ended with the performance of the song “Nakh Khıntretsek”, which is remembered with Patriarch Mesrob II. Everyone who attended the event, sang this song with great enthusiasm.
