The XV. NAPS International Ecumenical Concert 2019
Also in 2019, the summer cultural season in Bratislava culminated with an international ecumenical concert organized by the NAPS Institute – Our Activities for Slovakia. A charity and non-commercial event that brings by art together and deepens dialogue between nations and religions has been supported by many domestic and foreign personalities in its history.
The ecumenical concert, traditionally held under the auspices of the hierarchs of the five largest Christian churches and the Jewish religious community in Slovakia, took place in the beautiful premises of the Slovak Philharmony in Bratislava on Sunday, September 22, 2019. Opening ceremony was given 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.
„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.
Several prominent Slovak artists performed at the event. Among them were the Lúčnica Choir, but also opera soloists: Ms. Marianna Gelenekyová, Ms. Alena Kropáčková, Mr. Roman Krško and Mr. Pavol Remenár. Eastern Christians chanted the Quintet of St. Michael Archangel, but also the world famous Choir of St. Ephraim from Budapest. Karin Sarkisjan, a native of Armenia, enriched the concert with Jewish songs. The entire ecumenical evening in Reduta was accompanied by the Sinfonietta Bratislava orchestra conducted by the leading Slovak conductor Adrian Kokoš.
The moderator of the ecumenical concert was again this year the popular Slovak moderator and holder of the OTO poll Award, Mr. Ľubomír Bajaník. The mission of the concert, recorded by RTVS on November 1, 2019, was supported not only by church leaders, but also by diplomats from several countries. The end of the event traditionally belonged to the blessing of the hierarchs of the Christian churches and to the prayer of the representative of the Jewish religious community.
NAPS Ecumenical Concert 2019 Held under the Auspices:
His Excellency Monsignor Ján Orosch,
Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Trnava
and The Chairman of the Board of the Slovak Catholic Bishops’ Conference for Ecumenism,
The Reverend Mr. Ivan Eľko,,
General Bishop of the Evangelical Church of Augsburg Confession
and President of the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Slovakia,
His Eminence The Most Reverend Ján Babjak, SJ,
Archbishop of Prešov and Metropolitan of Greek Catholic Church in Slovakia,
Member of the Congregation of the Holy See for Oriental Churches in Vatican,
The Very Reverend Mr. László Fazekas,
Bishop of the Reformed Christian Church in Slovakia
and Vice-President of the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Slovakia,
His Beatitude The Most Blessed Rastislav,
Orthodox Archbishop of Prešov
and Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia,
The Esteemed Mr. Pavol Traubner,
Honorary President of the Central Union
of the Jewish Religious Communities in Slovakia.
The media partnership took place by:
Radio and Television of Slovakia,
TA3 Television,
Press Agency of the Slovak Republic,
weekly Slovenka,
web-portal vyveska.sk