
The program will take place this Monday, February 7, 2011 at 7:30PM at the Seminary in New Rochelle, New York.
Beauty, Song and God
Sacred song goes back to the origins of Armenian Christianity. There is not a single service of the Armenian Church that is not suffused with vocal melody, be it simple chants or more complex melodies. Why is singing essential to worship? What has beautiful singing to do with God? Deacon Rubik will explore the foundations and essence of sacred song in Armenian Church worship through a lecture illustrated by renditions of various Armenian hymns and sharagans in his own, hauntingly beautiful tenor voice.
Alumnus of St. Nersess
A classically-trained vocalist, Deacon Mailian has performed with the Houston Symphany, the Michigan Opera Theatre and the Macomb Symphony Orchestra. He holds the Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Houston as well as graduate theological degrees from St. Nersess Seminary and St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary. As well, he has lectured internationally on the sacred music of the Armenian Church.
Theology and Art
The program is the second in a series of lecture-demonstrations organized this year by St. Nersess Seminary entitled, The Arts of Theology. "For the Armenian Church, theology is not merely a matter of words and abstract intellectual concepts," said the Dean, Fr. Daniel Findikyan. "Armenians have always understood theology to be the ongoing process, taken up by all Christians, to come to know a God who is in their midst. As such, theology is revealed in a variety of sacred arts," the Dean added.
All are welcome to attend the lecture and enjoy the music. A reception will follow.
The lecture has been subsidized by the Edward and Anita Essayan Educational Fund of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. For more information write to info@stnersess.edu or call (914) 636-2003.
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