The XV. NAPS International Ecumenical Concert 2019

NAPS International Ecumenical Concerts have been supported for years by the Honorary Chairman of the Central Union of Jewish Religious Communities in Slovakia, prof. Pavol Traubner, with his wife.

The members of the NAPS Council also had the honor of welcoming the Chairman of the Council of the Conference of Bishops of Slovakia for Science, Education and Culture, H. E. Mons. František Rábek.

The moderator of the ecumenical concert was again this year the popular Slovak moderator and holder of the OTO poll Award, Mr. Ľubomír Bajaník.

Opening speech of the gala evening was provided by H. E. Mons. Ján Orosch, Archbishop of Trnava and chairman of the Council of the Conference of Bishops of Slovakia for Ecumenism, who, on an example of several Catholic saints, highlighted the sacrifice of own life as a unique way of ecumenism.

The Lúčnica Choir has been a part of the Lúčnica Art Ensemble since its foundation in 1948. Several stars of the opera heaven began their artistic career, including Mrs. Edita Gruberová, Mrs. Lucia Poppová and Mrs. Magdaléna Blahušiaková. During the ecumenical concert the Choir introduced the songs of the Roman Catholic tradition.

The song of Mary Protection by Mikuláš Schneider Trnavský was sung by the soloist of the Slovak National Theater Opera, Mr. Pavol Remenár.

The chants of the Evangelical Church of Augsburg Confession were presented by the songs of the Slovak composer, Víťazoslav Kubička. They were performed by baritone Roman Krško, who is a guest soloist of the Slovak National Theater and soprano Marianna Gelenekyová.

The interpretation of the sacred songs of the Christian East is the mission of the Saint Ephraim Choir from Budapest. The Choir is a laureate of several international awards and its singing is known not only to listeners from Central Europe, but also in metropolises such as Berlin, Moscow, Paris, Rome, Buenos Aires and Abu Dhabi.

During the break, Director of NAPS Peter Solej also talked to the EU Special Envoy for Religious Freedom Mr. Ján Figel, Archbishop of Trnava H. E. Mons. Ján Orosch and The Rev. Ľubomír Urbančok, Secretary of the Archbishop.

The mission of the evening was also supported by the German Ambassador to Slovakia, H. E. Mr. Joachim Bleicker and the Head of the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic Mr. Štefan Rozkopál.

Celebrating the Heavenly Father was also the goal of the Reformed Christian Church singing. It was performed by talented and successful mezzo-soprano Ms. Alena Kropáčková. She is a laureate of several singing awards. She was very successful in June 2018 when she became a semi- finalist of the prestigious Hans Gabor Belveder competition in Latvia.

The deep atmosphere of the singing of Eastern Christians was also created during the concert by members of the Quintet of St. Michael Archangel, who works at the Orthodox Church communities in Banská Bystrica and Zvolen.

Karin Sarkisjan comes from Armenia. She graduated from the Academy of Performing Arts in composition directly in Yerevan. She is mainly active in world music and sang three Jewish songs at an ecumenical concert.

The entire ecumenical evening in Reduta was accompanied by the Sinfonietta Bratislava orchestra conducted by the leading Slovak conductor Mr. Adrian Kokoš.

„Today’s concert wants to be a message that raises us in contemplation somewhere higher – to the Creator,“ said NAPS founder and director Peter Solej, paraphrasing that people are not coming to find or throw stones at the event – of us was without guilt – but to fill our hands with love, prayerfull request and gratitude.

Blessing of H. E. Mons. Ján Orosch, Archbishop of Trnava and Chairman of the Council of the Conference of Bishops of Slovakia for Ecumenism.

The blessing of the Rev. Mr. Július Filo, Emeritus Bishop General of the Evangelical Church of Augsburg Confession in Slovakia.

The Blessing of His Grace The Right Reverend Peter Rusnák, the Greek Catholic Eparch in Bratislava.

Blessing of the Deputy Chairman of the Synod and the Deputy Bishop of the Reformed Christian Church in Slovakia, the Rev. Robert Géreši.

Blessing of Rev. Fr. Milan Gerka, Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in the Czech Lands and Slovakia.

Prayer of Mr. Pavel Traubner, Honorary Chairman of the Central Union of Jewish Religious Communities in Slovakia.

The final conclusion of the event was the singing of the national anthem of the Slovak Republic performed by singers of the Lúčnica Choir and opera soloists.