« Archbishop Elisey attended a service dedicated to the Orthodox composer Sir John Tavener »
11-06-2014 On 11th June, Archbishop Elisey attended a service in Westminster Abbey, dedicated to the Orthodox British composer Sir John Tavener.
Sir John was baptised in the London Cathedral of the Dormition and All Saints by the ever-memorable Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom) in 1977. His work was saturated by Orthodox divine services and Russian culture. According to Sir John Tavener’s words, “possibly the fact of my converting to Orthodoxy was exceptionally important, as well as the fact that all my music is saturated with and inspired by Orthodoxy. With its help I can touch Englishmen in a way they couldn’t imagine and they have never come across”. ('John Tavener: I was enormously influenced by the ancient Russian liturgical chant.' Interview with the composer).