O Come All Ye Faithful...and Their Glorious Voices Sang Out

On Sunday, December 6, 2015, St. Apkar Armenian Apostolic Church of Scottsdale, Arizona hosted a community-wide Intercultural Christmas Concert. The theme of the concert was “Peace on Earth”. 

Rev. Fr. Zacharia Saribekyan along with the St. Apkar Choir, welcomed the area Clergy, Deacons and Choirs including the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, and St. Thomas Orthodox Church of India. 

The evening began with the welcoming message of Lisa Mahlebjian-Buzzard, Chairperson of the St. Apkar Choir Association who welcomed the presence of over 250 guests. 

Rev. Fr. Rock Fremont the United Church of Christ conducted the opening prayer and served as the master of ceremonies. His extensive background in theology allowed him to provide a unique historical perspective of each participating church while introducing the choirs. All choirs sang Christmas hymns, as well as The Lord’s Prayer in their native language. The St. Apkar Choir together with all choirs and guests sang three Christmas carols concluding the signing portion of the program. 

Rev. Fr. Zacharia Saribekyan led a candlelit prayer for peace. He stated the following: “As I look around within our beautiful sanctuary this evening, my heart fills with joy. I see brothers and sisters of various cultures unite, in celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With His birth came peace on earth. Nevertheless, my heart is also saddened with the viscous actions that have recently taken place, namely in San Bernardino, CA and all around the world. At this time, I ask our visiting Priests, Deacons, and Heads of the Choirs to come and join me up front. These candles represent our faith, hope and love and the bright light that conquers the darkness. Though the darkness exists, we must come together in prayer. Let’s bow our head and pray: Heavenly Father, we are here as one flock, in your presence. We humbling ask, as your children, to embrace us and bring us closer to you and to one another. Allow our hearts to open and accept our differences as unique traits and to appreciate each other in your name. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, let us celebrate our diversities in peace and love, Amen.” 

Joining him was Rev. Fr. Rock Fremont, Rev. Fr. Slomo Isac George and all deacons in attendance. Once the performance ended, Fr. Zacharia then called all the children up to the front the church, blessed them, and began to sing Jingle Bells, at which point Santa Clause entered to the delight of all. Immediately following the program an informal reception was held in the outside courtyard, where numerous Armenian deserts and beverages were served to our guests. The children particularly enjoyed roasting marshmallows.