Father Seraphim is an Assyrian christian living in Georgia. A former martial artist and one who was part of a Ukraine security force, Father Seraphim later committed his life to Christ, taking up the robes of a monk and ministering in a small village. That village, Kenda, hosts 2,000 Assyrians who speak Aramaic, the language that many believe Jesus spoke.
What makes Father Seraphim interesting is that he chants in Aramaic.
And in so doing, he lets hear a language that is 2500 years old. More than that, his scriptural chants allow us to hear what it might have sounded like when Jesus read and quoted the Bible.
Pope Francis visited Georgia in 2016, and the Syrian Orthodox church greeted him with a chant of Psalm 53, led by Father Seraphim. It is worth a listen for the above mentioned reasons but also because it is done so well.
The Embassy of Georgia in Lithuania hosts the video on their YouTube site. Since the page belongs to the Embassy of Georgia, I believe that they hold the copyright to host the video. Click here to see it.
That’s so cool! I wonder what it would sound like conversationally.
Is the lettering Aramaic too?
Cheers
The movie, The Passion (by Mel Gibson), had spoken aramaic in it. So, I think you can hear it there.
The lettering is probably in syriac, which would be a different script than Jesus’ generation would have used. They used a square script that looks like Hebrew.
Hi Wyatt,
I enjoyed reading your article. I listened to Fr Saraphims Psalm prepared for Pope Francis and very moved by it. I am a Psalmist and Cantor for the Catholic Mass and have been trying for a long time to find a teacher so I can learn to chant in Aramaic. So, this Hope has been elevated to a quest! Is it possible to get the contact information for Fr Saraphim? I want to inquire about a course of study. Any assistance, direction and encouragement would be greatly appreciated!
Blessings,
B
Hello B. Wasko,
Here is the link https://www.facebook.com/assyrian11
I hope you can reach Fr. Seraphim Bit Kharibi to study Aramaic chanting with him. Not sure he speaks enough English though. And I am a little worried that he disappeared from public life in 2018. He might be unwell as he had suffered much physical trauma in the past.
Good luck!
Constance
PS. I also have a phone number of someone in Georgia who could help you find Fr. Seraphim if ever Facebook link does not help you reach him