THE WONDERFUL ‘UNITY OF VOICES’ SINGING TOGETHER
What is the most beautiful thing about a choir? Is it the unity of the voices singing together, the sounds of the various musical instruments playing collectively, or is it the praises of the God? Being a non-Christian, I honestly do not know how to answer this question. All I know is that choirs are beautiful and every time I hear a choir singing, I enjoy listening to it. Perhaps it’s the music, or maybe it’s the voices singing together, either way, a choir is made of so many beautiful things together. The Ceylon Bible Society (CBS) has organised its 21st Festival of Choirs to be held on August 1 at 5.15 p.m. at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, for all choir lovers.
The Ceylon Bible Society (CBS) is an organisation consisting of individual members deeply committed to spreading the Word of God among people. As CBS celebrates its 201st anniversary this year, His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Spiteri Apostolic Nuncio in Sri Lanka will grace the occasion as the chief guest. This year the choir festival consists of the choirs of St. Anthony’s College in Kandy, Christ King College Choir in Pannipitiya, Methodist College Choir in Colombo, Peoples Church Choir in Narahenpita, Logos College Choir in Colombo, Prestantia Chorale directed by Dr.Priyeshni Peiris Perera and the Inspiration Choir directed by Mrs. Priyanthi Seneviratne. Speaking about the festival, the CBS General Secretary Lakshani P. Fernando said, “The 201st anniversary of the Ceylon Bible Society is a crucial juncture in our history. As we enter the third century of ministry in our nation, let us move with
The 201st anniversary of the Ceylon Bible Society is a crucial juncture in our history. As we enter the third century of ministry in our nation, let us move with confidence and courage in the assurance that God will be with us wherever we go and whatever we face
confidence and courage in the assurance that God will be with us wherever we go and whatever we face.”
She said CBS celebrates through music, provided by seven choirs compromising of 200 choirs and they have continu- ously held the choir festival for 20 years.
During last year’s festival the Chief Guest Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith addressing the gathering said the Holy Bible is not just a book but it is God’s story of love for humanity.
The Cardinal acknowledged that Bible Societies have become the internationally recognised instrument for the difusion of the Holy Bible and its spiritual riches worldwide.
He said, “It is this same awareness that makes us feel grateful to God for the 200 years of service rendered to Sri Lanka by our own Bible Society - The Ceylon Bible Society. Historic records show it was first established on August 1, 1812, two hundred years to date, at a meeting presided
During last year’s festival the Chief Guest Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith addressing the gathering said the Holy Bible is not just a book but it is God’s story of love for humanity
over by the then British Governor of Ceylon, Sir Robert Brownrigg at the Kings House. Their objective then was ‘to encourage the circulation of the Holy Scriptures without note or comment and to supply the demands of the native Christians in the island of Ceylon.’
From then onwards the CBS has produced not only the vernacular versions of the Sacred Scriptures but also a wide variety of Scripture based publications and products for the use of the local Christian community.
Among these of remarkable value is the Ecumenical Bible which is a commonly acceptable translation in the Sinhala language of the Holy Bible which has been approved both by the Catholic Bishops Conference in Sri Lanka and the National Christian Council. Through the CBS the mainline Churches of the NCC and the Roman Catholic Church have developed a spirit of close co-operation in fulfiling our obligations in the common cause of bringing the Word of God closer to our people.”