Holy Translators, October 9

St. Nersess the Grace-filled (Shuh-nor-ha-lee)

Music, music, music!

Have upper elementary through high school age students discuss the following mini-quiz on music in the Bible. Write the questions on the board and then, if no answers are forthcoming, give them the Bible reference as a clue. Review answers.

Continue discussion with the class by noting that October 9 (it might be best to use this activity on Sunday, the 10th) was Holy Translators Day, honoring the churchmen who cultivated and energized our faith by means of vigorous leadership, discoveries (the alphabet), histories, prayers, and music. St. Nersess Shnorhali was one of them and one of the most outstanding church leaders in our history.

Born in 1100, St. Nersess was the son of a prince, studied at the Garmir Vank, and was ordained at the age of 18. He succeeded his brother Krikor as Catholicos in 1166, by which time he had also gained fame as a writer of powerful prayers (including the 24-verse "I Confess with Faith" we recite during Lent), laments, and poems and a composer of hymns. As a Catholicos, he was a dynamic leader, renowned for his ecumenical efforts as well as his ability to unite and inspire his clergy and people.

You might want to sing or have an assembly leader teach one verse or even one line of Shnorhali's lovely hymn, "Norasdeghdzyal" ("newly-created") hymn is sung every Sunday at the end of morning service and before the Divine Liturgy begins. The first two verses can be translated as: "In the beginning, the Word newly created the heaven of heavens out of nothing, as well as the heavenly hosts of bodiless angels and all the sensible elements - different, and yet in agreement - by which the ineffable Trinity is glorified."

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1. In which book does the Bible's first reference to music appear?

Genesis. The Bible's first reference to music occurs in the list of Cain's descendants, one of whom, Jubal, "was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe." (Genesis 4:21)

Gen.4 Verses 21 to 21

[21] His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.

2. Name the woman who sang a song of rejoicing on the completion of the Red Sea crossing.

Miriam. After the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and saw Pharaoh's forces destroyed, Moses led the people in a song glorifying the Lord. Next his sister Miriam, the prophetess, "took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and dancing." (Exodus 15:20) Then Miriam sang to the Israelites, repeating the song that Moses had sung.

Exod.15

[20] Then Miriam, the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and dancing.

3. According to the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, how did the Last Supper end?

With a hymn. Jesus ate His last meal with his disciples at a house in the city, and "when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26)

Matt.26

[30] And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Mark.14

[26] And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

4. Whom did King Saul enlist to play the lyre for the purpose of soothing his troubled spirit?

David. Disappointed by Saul's disobedience, God left Saul to his own devices. Tormented by an evil spirit, Saul was advised to find a skillful lyre-player whose music would make him well, and so he sought out and employed David. "And whenever the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him." (I Samuel 16:23)

1Sam.16

[23] And whenever the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

5. What book of the Bible tells of a song that cannot be learned except by 144,000 special individuals?

Revelation. In his vision of the Apocalypse, the writer sees the people redeemed from earth standing on Mount Zion. Then he hears a voice from heaven, singing a new song, and says, "No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth." (Revelation 14:3)

Rev. 14

[3] and they sing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth.

6. Who said, "Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen"?

Amos, speaking for God. Amos warned Israel that God despised their feasts, took no delight in their solemn assemblies, and did not want to hear their songs. Instead, he said, "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." (Amos 5:24)

Amos 5

[24] But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

7. Which famous king wrote 1,005 songs?

Scripture praises the wisdom of King Solomon, who was said to be wiser than all other men: "He also uttered three thousand proverbs; and his songs were a thousand and five." (I Kings 4:32)

1Kgs.4

[32] He also uttered three thousand proverbs; and his songs were a thousand and five.