PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
April 28, 2004
His Holiness Karekin II Receives Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian
On April 19, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, received Miss Isabel Bayrakdarian, Canadian-Armenian soprano
and soloist of the New York Metropolitan Opera, in the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin.
His Holiness welcomed Miss Bayrakdarian to the headquarters of the worldwide
Armenian Church, and gave his Pontifical blessing to the talented singer.
His Holiness expressed his appreciation to her for beautifully and expertly
introducing Armenian Church hymns and melodies to an entirely new audience
in many countries throughout the world.
The Pontiff of All Armenians noted, “It is a pleasure to meet a
distinguished young Armenian who has come to her Motherland to express her
love and devotion to Armenia and to the Armenian Church, and her spiritual
center – the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Your talent, labors, and
zealous pursuits contribute and benefit to the good name of our people and
nation, and we are proud of you and your achievements.”
Miss Bayrakdarian thanked His Holiness for the audience, stating in part,
“Your Holiness, Armenian spiritual music is the nourishment of my soul and
my heart, as it is impossible to live without faith. All graces which have
been granted to me by God, I intend to always use for the sake of our
Motherland and our Holy Church.”
Miss Bayrakdarian was in Armenia for her debut performance before audiences
in the homeland. She was invited by the Hamazgayin Armenian Educational and
Cultural Society. Miss Bayrakdarian was accompanied during her visit to
Holy Etchmiadzin by her mother, Mrs. Lalique Bayrakdarian; pianist Mr.
Serouj Kradjian; Ms. Lilit Galsdian representing the Hamazgayin Cultural
Society; and a film crew of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, which
accompanied her visit to Armenia for the preparation of a film.
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