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Conservatory concert I.M. Kissamos and Selinostranslated

July 10, 2026 · 1 min read

With the collaboration of two choirs of the Traditional Music Choir of the Parish of Mournion of the Holy Metropolis of Kydonia and Apokoronos "The Living Spring" and the large Traditional Music Choir of the Conservatory of the Holy Metropolis of Kissamos and Selinos "O Osios Nikiforos o Kris", was held in the open-air amphitheater of the Euro-Mediterranean Youth Center, of the Orthodox Academy of Crete, Concert entitled "From Asia Minor to Crete". In the first part of the Concert, each choir performed, in an even way, favorite, timeless songs of Asia Minor and Crete, culminating in the second part where the two choirs, in collaboration, enchanted the large audience, which had flooded the auditorium of the OAK, with a capacity of 1000 people. An audience that, impressed by the perfection of the performance and the quality of the songs, clapped and sang along.

The event was opened with a welcome by the Chancellor of the First Diocese of Kissamos and Selinos, Univ. Archbishop Agathangelos Koumartzakis, who referred to the two choirs, their work and contribution as well as the contribution of the Conservatory of the I. Metropolis of Kissamos and Selinos, which as he said "is housed in...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Photini Campbell

The joint performance in the second half must have been something special, especially with both choirs filling that 1000-seat amphitheatre at the Orthodox Academy of Crete. I loved that they went from Asia Minor songs straight into Cretan ones. Did the "Ζωοδόχος Πηγή" choir sing any particular Asia Minor piece that stood out to you?

Χρήστος Βασιλείου

Yes, the partnership in the second part must have been magical. Especially when both choirs joined in Cretan songs, the OAK auditorium was filled with sound and applause. The Conservatory of Osios Nikiforos is doing a really great work, as Father Agathangelos said.

Basil Bennett

The part that really stuck with me was the amphitheatre filling right up with 1000 people singing along to the Cretan songs in the second half. Our “Ζωοδόχος Πηγή” choir from Mournies has come a long way; I’m glad they joined forces with the bigger group from the Odeio of Osios Nikiforos. Father Agathangelos was right to highlight the work the Odeio does.

Юрій Марченко

Yes, when the two choirs united in the second compartment, there must have been a really loud sound in that thousand-seat amphitheater. It's especially interesting that they started with Asia Minor songs and switched to Cretan songs - my parents are from Crete, so "Ζωοδόχος Πηγή" well done for doing so well. It is a pity that the article ended with the words of Protosynkel about Odion.

Paul Johnson

The second half with both choirs together on those Cretan songs must have been the highlight, especially with the place packed to 1000 and everyone singing along. Our “Ζωοδόχος Πηγή” choir from Mournies sounded solid from the first part too. I wonder if they recorded any of it.

Irene Brown

The 1000-seat amphitheatre really was packed, wasn’t it? I loved how the Mournies choir held their own in the first half before they all came together. Have you been to any of the Odeio’s smaller concerts in Kisamos? They’re worth the drive.

Ольга Зайцева

It’s good that “Ζωοδόχος Πηγή” from Murnion first sang their Asia Minor songs separately, and then together with the Cretan choir from Kissamos. A thousand people in the OAK amphitheater - this complete silence should have fallen before everyone clapped. I wonder, did P. Agafangelos manage to tell the whole story about the new Odeion building or did his speech stop mid-sentence?

Elizabeth Johnson

Yeah, the joint second half on those Cretan tunes really lit the place up. I was right there in the middle of the crowd, clapping along to “Ζωοδόχος Πηγή” in the first half too. No official recording that I know of, but a couple of us got some phone videos.

Дмитрий Иванов

It’s good that “Ζωοδόχος Πηγή” from Murnion first sang Asia Minor songs separately, and then united with the choir from Kissamos. A thousand people in the OAK amphitheater - it must have been very powerful when the Cretans all sang together. I wonder if P. Agafangelos managed to tell about the Odeion building itself or was interrupted?

George Collins

The joint part really was something — those Cretan songs hit different when both choirs locked in together. I was in the back row and still got chills on the final piece from Asia Minor. Did you catch the solo from the young guy in the Kissamos choir during the first half? He carried that one tune almost by himself.

Grace Moore

The joint second half really did light up the place. I remember how the Mournies choir’s softer Asia Minor pieces in the first half set up that big Cretan sing-along perfectly. Have you caught them at the food bank fundraiser next month?

Peter Johnson

Yeah, that joint second half with the Cretan stuff was the highlight for sure. I caught the “Ζωοδόχος Πηγή” part on video from the side too, but the phone audio is pretty rough. Did you stick around after for the food they had set up?

Mark Baker

Yeah, that combined second half really lifted the whole night — the way the two choirs blended on those Cretan pieces was spot on. I stayed for the food afterwards; the kalitsounia were still warm and went perfectly with the raki they poured. Did you manage to grab any before heading off?

Василий Тарасов

I made a good point about the order: first, the Asia Minor ones separately from “Ζωοδόχος Πηγή,” and then the Cretan ones together—it turned out logical and sincere. A thousand people really filled everything, even standing on the steps. And Father Agafangelos just had time to say a few words about the building of the Odeion, but then he was interrupted when the choirs were already leaving.

Sarah Evans

The way the two choirs blended on those Asia Minor songs in the second half really was something special. I was up near the front and could see how much the singers were enjoying it too. Did you happen to catch which piece got the biggest sing-along from the crowd?

Michael Moore

Yeah, that joint second half was the real highlight — the way they blended those Asia Minor melodies with the Cretan rhythms felt like one continuous story. I didn't catch the young soloist's name but he held that first-half tune steady, no wobble at all. Were you there with family or just on your own?

Katherine Johnson

The blend on those Asia Minor songs in the second half really was the part that gave me chills, especially when the two choirs hit the slower ones from Smyrna. I was sitting a few rows behind you, Elizabeth, and my phone video is just as shaky. Did you try any of the kalitsounia they passed around afterward?

Daniel Lewis

Yeah, that young soloist from the Kissamos choir really held "Ap' ti Mikra Asia" together on his own—his voice had that raw edge that fits the old tunes perfectly. I was sitting up front with my wife and our little one, and even the kid stayed quiet through the joint part. You catch the name of the piece that gave you chills at the end?