St Basil’s Homes has come up with an innovative way of bringing Greek Australians together on this very unusual Easter by putting together a virtual Choir to sing a very special Easter Hymn, inviting the faithful to join in celebrating The Resurrection of Jesus Christ whilst spreading joy and hope to the world.
“Easter has always been that time of the year where all generations in Australia usually come together and travel the solemn and sombre journey towards Christ’s crucifixion and then experience the relief and jubilation as the Church lights up with the Phos (the Holy light) and the voices of all ages singing ‘Christos Anesti’ at midnight on Easter Saturday. This year, we can’t go to Church. As this hymn is possibly one of the most familiar for every one of us who grew up Orthodox, this is our way of bringing the community together in prayer,” explains St Basil’s Homes SA Marketing and Communications Executive, Ms Connie Kosti.
Those who wish to participate, can record themselves singing the ‘Christos Anesti’ in Greek or English, using a smartphone or tablet in portrait mode.
The video needs to then be forwarded to marketing@stbasils.com.au by Good Friday so that the St Basil’s team can compile all files into one clip.
The final edited video, which will feature all the clips together will be shared with all St Basil’s families and posted on the organisation’s Facebook page.
Anyone can join in and every age is welcome.
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To help everyone’s voice rise, the clip will have back-up vocals from an Australia-wide Byzantine Chanting group who serve the chanting stands of the Archdiocese.
“Many of us grew up knowing our residents as the guardians and elders of our Church. They were the Ladies of the Philoptochos, the Chanters, the Easter Choir, the Greek School teachers, and of course they were the mums and dads, and grandparents who instilled in us the meaning of faith, family, love, and forgiveness, so this is a way to all come together and honour our culture, our religion and our traditions,” Ms Kosti adds.
St Basil’s Homes took the initiative to lock down all nursing homes in Australia about a month ago in an attempt to keep everyone and especially the elderly safe from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We had to do this to ensure that our residents and team remain safe and well. We have introduced many alternatives to visiting like window visits, video calls, extra activities and a heartfelt commitment by all our employees to make this time special.
“It’s a difficult time for everyone but we’re thankful that our families understand why we chose this path and are very supportive of it,” concludes Ms Kosti.
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In Greek chant ‘Χριστός Ανέστη, εκ νεκρών θανάτω θάνατον πατήσας, και τοις εν τοις μνήμασι ζωήν, χαρισάμενος’, or in English chant ‘Christ is risen from the dead, and by His death He has trampled down death, and to those in the tomb he gave eternal life’.
