Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Australia and New Zealand, Bishop Haigazoun Najarian recently granted a Certificate of Appreciation to choirmaster of Zvartnots Choir, Deacon and Head Scribe Marcos Iskenderian for his longstanding service, reported leader of the Armenian community of New Zealand Noubar Yaghoubian to Hayern Aysor.

Zvartnots Choir was established in 2001 through the efforts and under the direction of Marcos Iskenderian. In 1999, Iskenderian moved from Iraq to New Zealand and settled in Oakland. The deacon, who has served the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Baghdad for many years, continued his dedicated efforts and established the Zvartnots Choir in Oakland, conveying new air and energy to the Armenian community of Oakland.

In an interview with Hayern Aysor, Marcos Iskenderian said he began his 40-year service in 1963 in Baghdad after taking her aunt’s advice, going to church and serving as a scribe. Later, as he made his way up, he was ordained as a deacon by His Holiness Avak. In that period, His Holiness Avak suggested that he become the head of the Class of Scribes. In the beginning, the group of a couple of scribes performed Yekmalian’s liturgy in one voice. Later, through Marcos Iskenderian’s efforts, members of the community, including Bishop Vahan (he was playing the organ) and musician Noubar Bshdigian and his daughters joined the choir and managed to help the choir sing in three voices and later in four voices.

During the interview, Deacon Marcos Iskenderian stated that when His Holiness Avak brought the notes of the music of Komitas and Khoren from Armenia, Zvartnots Choir of Baghdad started performing the liturgies of Yekmalian, Komitas and Khorenyan during all holidays and church rituals.

The Deacon has been awarded by Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Iraq, Archbishop Avak Asadourian and His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians for his zealous and longstanding service.

He has been awarded twice for his longstanding service in New Zealand and in church-once on the occasion of the 20^th anniversary of the establishment of the Armenian community of New Zealand in 2016 and recently along with the members of Zvartnots Choir of New Zealand.

The last time Marcos Iskenderian was the choirmaster for the choir of Oakland was on Christmas. Due to health conditions, he had to stop performing this task that requires responsibility.

Iskenderian told Hayern Aysor that he regrets that he can no longer continue. At the same time, he expressed concern about the fact that there is nobody who can follow in his footsteps. Most of the members of the choir sing without musical notes, but one needs a musical education and experience to be the choirmaster. In closing, he added that the choir has been respected and received the compassion of foreigners by performing the songs of Komitas in churches abroad.