On December 13th, 2024, members and friends of the Circolo Berkeley met once again at the "Chiesa Greca", the beautiful church of San Nicola da Myra, situated in the historic centre of Lecce. Not only is the "Chiesa Greca" renowned for its beauty but also for its ecumenical rôle throughout the centuries and it is, therefore, particularly appropriate for the Circolo Berkeley to have its "international" concert here.
Papas Nic of the Eparchia Lungro di Cosenza, parish priest of San Nicola da Myra,welcomed us all warmly, saying that he is always extremely happy to have the Circolo Berkeley Carol-singing in his church. After a reading from the Gospel of St. Luke, Father Giovambattista of the Combonian Missionaries spoke of a moving Christmas experience in Zambia. Traditional carols were sung in English, Italian and German and prayers and singing were also in Greek and Albanian. We were pleased to have singing with us a small group of Russians of the Orthodox church and a group of German ladies, led by Emilia, who joyfully sang the famous "Ihr Kinderlein Kommet".
Together we all read aloud the prayer for peace by St. Francis of Assisi. Little Greta was delighted to go in procession with Papas Nic and his Greek choirto place Baby Jesus in the crib. Then at the end of the eveningwe enjoyed listening to the choir of "Viri Cantores de Finibus Terrae" who sang beautifully under the direction of Giuseppe Lattante. This is an all-male choir, except for the solo voice of Maria Grazia Nicchiarico, and usually sing plain chant but for this occasion they sang "O Nuit Brillante", "Nell'Apparir del Sempiterno Sole" and Brahms' "Lullaby". The pianist Stefano Pellegrino accompanied all the carols and the Senegalese drummer Mayeesa joined in skilfully on his drums.
Papas Nic gave us his farewell blessing and invited us to his house for panettone and drinks. There was a Christmas feeling of real brotherhood as we left the Chiesa Greca.
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